CENTRAL AFRICA: SEPARATION WITH US EPISCOPAL CHURCH INEVITABLE

27 February, 2004

GABORONE - Episcopal synod of the Anglican province of central Africa comprising bishops from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe feels separation with Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA) is inevitable. The separation would become permanent if there is no repentance by the Anglican Church in America.

This follows last year's ordination in the New Hemisphere, United States, of an active homosexual as a bishop.

Archbishop Bernard Malango of Malawi said after the meeting held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Gaborone on Wednesday that the ordination "has inflicted a desperately grave wound to the church and the communion".

He said ECUSA has ignored the clear voice of God contained in the Bible.

Malango said the 62 bishops who consecrated the gay bishop have disregarded the anguished cries of the primates of the Anglican communion, Christians as well as that of the Anglican Consultative Council not to go ahead with the election of the gay priest.

He said ECUSA's arrogance has irreparably shattered trust and fellowship amongst fellow church members across the globe.

"Sincere repentance is the only thing that could rescue those involved in the election of the gay priest" Malango said.

He added that the presiding bishop of ECUSA and other bishops who have acted with him could not have been clearer.

Despite pleas from elsewhere, the ECUSA bishops have declared independence from the Anglican communion.

The separation created by ECUSA, according to Malango, cannot be ignored.

"The province of Central Africa declares that relationship is fractured and communion is impaired and it is not possible to share what they have fractured," he said.

Malango also said the separation is therefore necessary for the "maintenance of Gospel integrity and spiritual safety of our people".

He said the way forward would be not to ignore the authority of the Bible, which does not allow sin.

Malango said some countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda have already cut ties with ECUSA. BOPA