The international Anglican communion has been much in the news due in large part to rightist schims. The flashpoint has been mostly issues of homosexuality, particularly the ordination of gay clergy. One of the top leaders of this international effort Archbishop Peter (The Persecutor) Akinola of Nigeria has recently renewed efforts to pass national legislation that impose harsh jail sentences for same sex marriage, stating that same sex marriage could create a "moral and social holocaust," "extincting mankind," (sic) as a result of "annihilation that will follow the wrath of God."
Akinola is not merely a far away African prelate. He is a favorite of the neconservative Washington, DC-based Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) which has been organizing division and discord in the mainline Protestant churches for a generation.)He is also now the leader of eleven Episcopal Churches in Virginia (the religious homes for many conservative Washington, DC insiders) which left the Episcopal Church USA and placed themselves under his authority. He was also apparently involved in an infamous massacre of Muslims in Nigeria -- among many other things.
Episcopal Cafe has the scoop as well as the text of The Persecutor's letter (PDF). Here are some excerpts:
Conclusion:
Same sex marriage apart from being ungodly is also unscriptural, unnatural, unprofitable, unhealthy, uncultural, un-African and un-Nigerian. It is a perversion, a deviation and an aberation that is capable of engendering moral and social holocaust in this country. It is also capable of extincting mankind and as such should never be allowed to take root in Nigeria. Outlawing it is to ensure the continued existence of this nation. The need for doing this is urgent, compelling and imperative. The time is now.
The Most Revd. Peter J. Akinola
Archbishop Primate and Metropolitan
Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
In discussion of the bill, Akinola states:
The penalty for engaging in same gender marriage should be 5 years imprisonment each.
"The introduction of this bill... is one of the best things that have happened to us as a nation."
"Any society or nation that approves same sex union as an acceptable lifestyle is in an advanced stage of corruption/moral decay. This bill, therefore seeks to sheild Nigeria from the complete annihiliation that will follow the wrath of God should this practice be accepted as normal in the land."
[Adapted from Talk to Action]