KENYA: BISHOP PULLS BACK FROM FETE LINKED TO ECUSA PRO-GAY BISHOP

Kenyan Bishop pulls back from fete linked to US Episcopal Pro gay bishop

By MIKE MWANIKI

Daily Nation

2/10/2004

Cash-for-prayers bishop Peter Njoka has narrowly escaped a new storm — he was stopped at the last minute from attending the ordination of a Kenyan deacon by clergymen allied to the controversial American gay bishop.

Bishop Njoka, who is at the centre of a Nairobi City Council payments scandal, was reportedly scheduled to attend the elevation in Los Angeles, United States, of a Kenyan deacon by churchmen linked to the first openly homosexual cleric to become a bishop.

A message from Anglican archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi forced him to cancel plans to attend the ordination of Mr. Johnson Muchira by churchmen in California blacklisted by the Kenyan Church for supporting the ordination of Bishop Gene Robinson. The ordination last year split the Anglican Church worldwide.

A stiff letter also went to Mr. Muchira, who later cancelled the ceremony, after being reminded of the Kenyan Church's opposition to homosexuality and its decision to break links with bishop Robinson's diocese and priests who had backed his ordination.

Bishop Njoka is in the United States seeking assistance for various projects in his diocese.

He has been accused by auditors of receiving payments from the financially-strapped Nairobi city council for serving as the Mayor's Chaplain.

Bishop Njoka was reported by a special inspection team appointed by minister Karisa Maitha of receiving a monthly pay for giving spiritual services to the council, while workers went without pay allegedly for lack of cash.

He was ordered by the team to repay the Sh1.7 million he had received over the years or face an investigation by the Kenya Anti-corruption Commission.

Kenya's Anglican Church broke links with American Episcopalians in the diocese of the openly gay bishop Robinson and vowed not to have any dealings with clergymen who supported his ordination. Archbishop Nzimbi said those who backed Bishop Robinson's ordination would be seen to have removed themselves from the Anglican community.

On Thursday, the Anglican Church will hold a synod meeting to discuss the accusations against Bishop Njoka in the cash-for-prayers affair.

The issue would then be referred to the House of Bishops, the highest decision-making organ of the church.

The bishop was asked to repay the money early last month by an Extraordinary inspection team led by Mr. Erastus Rweria, which is investigating council finances.

Media reports yesterday said deacon Muchira, who has been studying in California, cancelled the ordination after learning that he risked being excommunicated by Kenyan Anglicans if the ceremony was handled by Bishop Robinson's allies.