LAGOS: AFRICAN BISHOPS TO CONFRONT ISSUES OF FAITH AND MORALS

A press release from the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS) claiming that the upcoming CAPA (Conference of Anglican Provinces in Africa) bishops’ meeting in Lagos “is not a reaction to current crises in the Anglican Communion” is flatly contradicted by the actual agenda and statements from organizers.

The CAPA bishops intend to take up the serious matters of faith and morals confronting the Communion. The ACNS statement omitted the stated agenda items from the CAPA announcement. Topics to be discussed include HIV/AIDS, political instability, technological stagnation, poverty, ecclesiastical issues, and the current state of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

All Anglican Bishops from Africa will meet for the first time in Lagos, Nigeria, from October 24 to 31, 2004, for the Africa Anglican Bishops Conference (AABC). The historic gathering’s theme is “Africa Comes of Age: An Anglican Self-Evaluation.” Approximately 300 Diocesan and Suffragan Bishops are expected to attend.

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is hosting the meeting, while CAPA serves as the Conference Secretariat. The CAPA Design Committee has been meeting to plan the event; bishops are responsible only for their own transportation, with accommodation provided by the Church of Nigeria.

A directory containing contact details and passport photographs of all African bishops and dioceses is being prepared for release at the conference. Bishops were urged to confirm participation by April 2004 and to submit their information to the CAPA Secretariat.

Virtuosity has removed the offending ACNS report from its website.