Nigerian Bishops In The News And The Blogosphere

The Church Times reports that Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola's recent missive, "A Most Agonizing Journey towards Lambeth 2008," was extensively edited by CANA Bishop Martyn Minns. Given the amount of time Bishop Akinola spent conferring with then Rev. Minns during the Primates meeting in Dar es Salaam, this surprises us how? Given the fact that Archbishop Akinola spent time in Virginia with Bishop Minns immediately preceding the release of that missive, I ask again, this surprises us how?

I am not sure we can, or should, read too much into this revelation. I have worked in a variety of organizations, and it is not unusual for a direct report to substantially edit or even completely write letters and other communication for his or her supervisor--especially for CEO's of organizations. On the other hand, the almost frantic attempts over at StandFirm (as well as other conservative/reasserter blogs) to dismiss the edits as nothing do give one cause to wonder.

The bottom line, however, is that Archbishop Akinola signed it and is thus responsible for its content.

An infinitely more interesting document, supposedly written by a Nigerian Anglican bishop, appears on Mark Harris' Preludium. He was sent a copy of a draft letter said to have been written by Bishop Bena, late of Albany, now of CANA, that was left up on a public computer at Camp Allen, where the self-named "Windsor Complaint Bishops" met recently. The implication is that Bishop Bena had a hand in some communication between those bishops and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Interesting that the "WC Bishops" should be working with someone who has jumped ship and gone to the Province of Nigeria. And if they are, why are they?

Ultimately, the truth behind either of these letters may not amount to very much. It is the perceptions they leave behind that may very well have the greater effect upon the upcoming meeting in New Orleans of the bishops of the Episcopal Church.

Meanwhile, Clerical Whispers has a story about the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Nigeria here. Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja is proposing a truth, reparation and reconciliation process for Nigeria, which is still suffering from the aftermath of a civil war, years of military rule, political corruption and rigged elections. As many issues as I--and many other people--have with the Roman Catholic Church, here we have a bishop proposing reconciliation and healing. What a concept.

Peace,
Jeffri

Updated 08/24/07