FROM the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has come a strong disapproval of the Church of England’s nod to homosexual clergy in civil partnerships.

In a statement Wednesday at the ongoing Anglican Bishops Retreat at Ibru Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, said the Church of Nigeria urged the House of Bishops of the Church of England to reconsider its decision on the issue.

Okoh added that the call became necessary “so as to allow for a full, prayerful and sober reflection on the call on all clergy, especially bishops, to live holy lives and not encourage what are, at best, morally ambiguous partnerships that make it impossible for a bishop to be a wholesome example to the flock, especially since the supposed assurances of celibacy, while perhaps well intentioned, are both unworkable and unenforceable.”

“The Bishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), meeting for their annual retreat at the Ibru Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, heard with dismay the news of the recent action of the Church of England House of Bishops.

“The decision to permit homosexual clergy in civil partnerships to now be considered for the episcopacy is one step removed from the moral precipice that we have already witnessed in The Episcopal Church (USA) and the Anglican Church of Canada.

“We are also grieved by the timing of this decision, coming only days before the retirement of Archbishop Rowan Williams and before Dr Justin Welby becomes the new Archbishop of Canterbury.”

SOURCE:GUARDIAN