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LAGOS: Williams absent at African Bishops conference
By Lekan Otufodunrin
VIRTUOSITY correspondent
LAGOS, Nigeria (1026/2004)--The head of the Anglican Church Worldwide, Dr. Rowan Williams is conspciously absent from the ongoing first African Bishops conference being held here in Lagos.
Although had been invited and there were earlier indications by the local organising committee that the Archbishop of Canterbury would attend the historic gathering, he was not among the foriegn delegates on Tuesday night when a welcome dinner was held for the participants.
Asked at a pre conference press briefing on Monday if Williams will be at the conference, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria who is the
Chairman of the Confrence of Anglican Provinces in Africa, (CAPA) Archbishop Peter Akinola said "he has been invited whether or not he comes the conference will go on."
Cannon Herman Browne designated as a guest from Canterbury is however attending the conference with other guests from United Kingdon and United States.
They include Bishop John Chew of South East Asia, Bishop Bob Duncan, (ECUSA) Canon Martyn Minns, (ECUSA), the Rev. Canon Oge Beauvoir
(USA), Rev Cannon Ellis Brust (ECUSA).
Primate Akinola thanked them for their most valued support and personal presence at the conference.
Other foreign delegates included the Rev. Don Brown (UK) and Canon lawyer Michael Doe (London).
Lekan is Virtuosity's Nigerian correspondent based in Lagos
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