When Ihloff heard that Akrofi and a number of other Primates had refused to take Holy Communion with Mrs. Schori, he wrote to the African leader and uninvited him to preach and preside at Eucharist during Holy Week in his diocese. It was a resounding ecclesiastical slap in the face at his now former friend, one which indicated the depth of animosity that now exists between orthodox archbishops and bishops of the Global South and Western liberal bishops, many of whom can no longer say the Nicene Creed with a straight face. (See the rejection of General Convention Resolution B001)

Ihloff withdrew the invitation to Akrofi in a letter to him on February 17 published on VOL http://tinyurl.com/2cmra3 The VOL story circulated widely on the Internet, finally prompting a four-page response from the African Primate.

In high tones, the African Prelate spoke of his sadness at Ihloff's letter writing, "It makes me very sad reading to see that things have come to this acrimonious end. May God purge any guile."

Akrofi then noted what he called the "modern development of the blogs...that teach us what our clientele and co-workers are saying about us and who says what."

Then Akrofi launched into Ihloff's specific accusations one of which charged that Akrofi was "Un-Anglican".

"I reject this charge which should be consigned to the dustbin of history. Anglicanism is in origin not a theological "revolt" with a theological slogan like sola fidei (Luther), sola gratia (Westminster Confession). The Anglican Articles of religion at best are a platform around which Anglicanism was gathered."

Akrofi said that Anglicanism was essentially a liturgical renewal, hence the prominence of the Prayer Book in the global Anglican expression.

The African Primate then launched into a spirited defense of the Via Media and what he called key Anglican tenets, condemning modern interpretations of the Via Media in the American Episcopal Church. "Via Media (the middle way) whatever this means, affirming people across the board has never meant the overthrow of the lessons, indeed demands of Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Sacrament. Scripture does not encourage me to take on board different sex orientation as acceptable. To accept it as norm in my context, will be to constitute a scandal and an undermining of the mission of the Church in Africa."

Then Akrofi ripped The Episcopal Church. "When I talk of the mission of the church], I mean both extensive and intensive growth of the Church - not just numbers and geographical spread - but also, and perhaps more importantly, qualitative Christianity."

The African Primate tore into charges by Ihloff of "duplicity" and "inconsistency" saying, that in the light of being un-Anglican and lacking his interpretation of Via Media, "this reads like a case of giving a dog a bad name so as to be able to hang it." Akrofi then went on to assert that the issues now being fought at the "Primate's level" were because decisions had been taken there which were unilaterally varied.

Akrofi then blasted Ihloff over charges that he was "politicizing the faith". "I must emphatically reject this allegation too. It is interesting when my stance is easily labeled "conservative" verses "progressive". Are these the only camps? I know it is not that: it is fidelity to Scripture and tradition, and dialogue with contemporary developments, [and] holding firmly to the Anglican principle of the primacy of Scripture."

The Primate said such popular slogans as conservative/liberal missed the point, "the beam must fall on 'the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.'"

Akrofi then accused Ihloff of what amounted to little more than racism. "Your point about politicization has also unfortunately touched a raw nerve here, which crudely put is as follows. Typical big brother, America attitude and style - because of your little contribution to our life and mission, they (you) want us to sing their (your) tune and we have no voice and attitude of our own. This is most unfortunate."

The African Primate then said Ihloff had forgotten what it means to be a bishop and to lead the people. He condemned the bishop's language of "servant leader" as "an unhelpful modeling of episcopacy."

"St. Augustine said one can lead either from the front or from behind. While leading from in front may not be allowed to become a dictatorship (as in the Medieval Church) neither may leading from behind be allowed to become the leader being dragged by the nose by the people. The essential role of the bishop (episcopos - shepherd) includes teaching the true gospel; to animate the community of faith and through them, society (mission) and to celebrate the mystery of faith and life."

Akrofi noted that his tiff with the American bishop also demonstrated yet another expression of Caucasian negative treatment of Blacks coming at a time when his own nation of Ghana was celebrating 50 years of independence from colonialism and the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, and once again reminded him of the cruel treatment of Africans as things rather than bearing the imago dei.

END

The following is the Letter from the Episcopal Bishop of Maryland to the Anglican Archbishop of West Africa

The Most Reverend Justice O. Akrofi
Archbishop of West Africa and Bishop of Accra
Bishopscourt, P.O. Box GP 8
Accra, Ghana

February 17, 2007

Dear +Justice,

It is with sadness that I need to rescind my invitation to you to be with us in late March into early April, 2007. Yesterday I learned you were one of seven primates who have boycotted the Eucharist at the Primates Meeting in Dar es Salaam, and +Peter Akinola's statement on behalf of the seven of you is in all the newspapers. I have received a number of emails from clergy in this Diocese expressing their disapproval of your action. The Diocesan Council met today and agrees that you cannot be welcomed in Maryland under the circumstances. For my own part, I am disappointed you would use the Holy Sacrament of our Lord's Body and Blood as a political tool-I had assumed you sacramental theology was more thoroughly Anglican. Mostly I am sorry after so many years to end our personal relationship on this note.

It is obvious to everyone here that it would now be completely inappropriate for you to celebrate the Eucharist at our Cathedral on Palm Sunday. Surely, many parishioners would protest you visit by not receiving Communion from you. Since I do not allow such behavior in this Diocese, I cannot encourage it by your presence. Clearly it would be inappropriate for you to preach Tuesday in Holy Week to a combined group of Lutheran and Episcopal clergy, since you do not even share Communion with other Anglicans. Finally, it is sadly clear to Nancy and me that your presence at my retirement celebration is out of order as well. I give thanks for the eight years we have been in relationship; we have many friends in Accra and in Ghana, and I am aware that there are a number of them who will be shocked and grieved by your behavior. I have always shared honestly with you (even though I have not felt in the past two years you have been so honest in your sharing) and want to say we have great affection for the +Justice we knew in those earlier years. Since becoming Archbishop, you have changed and I do not feel I know you anymore.

I am not at this time calling for an end of the Companion Diocese relationship, although this development puts that relationship at risk. I am content to let the Holy Spirit guide our Dioceses into appropriate discernment (a discernment which will take place after my retirement and without my input). As a Diocese, Maryland is committed, as am I, to the continuation of projects already begun in Accra and relationships in Accra which I and many others here cherish. Our special Lenten offerings will go to assist children in your Diocese, I continue to be very supportive of Ghanaian Mothers' Hope spearheaded by Debbi Frock, and we celebrate our ongoing Cursillo commitments.

Let me assure you I am not angry as I write this but deeply disappointed. The Diocese of Accra and its parishes remain on our Diocesan Prayer list from week-to-week, and you will remain in my prayers and those of our Diocesan family. Please continue to pray for us. There was much I had hoped to show you and tell you in your upcoming visit, much we had hoped to plan together, especially as it relates to youth ministry, a high priority for both of our Dioceses. Perhaps some of that can continue in some different form; personally, I am sad that I will not be a part of it.

Your faithful brother in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Ihloff
Bishop of Maryland
4/17/2007

The April 4, 2007 Letter from Archbishop Akrofi (West Africa) to Bishop Ihloff can be accessed here: http://tinyurl.com/yoce7z