I wonder if Peter Akinola‘s controversy over homosexuality and stirring up conservative Episcopal/American Anglican congregations to join him is less about morality and more about the money the arch-diocese of Nigeria will gain from defector churches. While many African Anglican diocese receive assistance funds from the American Episcopal Church, much of it goes to feeding the hungry and providing medical care for AIDS and malaria. That Akinola is willing to forgo this leads me to think he’s counting on revenue from American parishes that put themselves under his leadership. While Nigeria may be able to play the numbers game by claiming more members nationally, financial contributions from fewer, but more affluent American members may be the pay-off Akinola seeks as he courts angry conservatives who aren’t happy with the ordination of women, gays, and lesbians. Why else would he be so moved to declare the “growing acceptance of homosexals a satanic attack on the church.”
Update:
Here is the American Bishop’s response to Akinola’s planned visit to the US.
Tags: Anglican Communion, Episcopal church, gay rights, Nigeria
He was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most … whatever the heck their new list of 100 people is called. (Funny: QE II — the original, not the Helen Mirren version — made the list, GWB did not.)
I suspect that Akinola is probably going for a power play within the Anglican hierarchy – I don’t think that the Anglican church of Nigeria stands to benefit financially, but there are other benefits.
In addition to making himself a stronger voice within the Anglican community, by coming out so strongly against homosexuality, he puts the church more in line with the stance of the Islamist politicians in Nigeria (nine of Nigeria’s states have implemented shari’a as law). That makes him a particularly influential voice within Nigerian politics, since he can serve as a bridge between two important political factions in the country.
The worldwide attention is icing on the cake. I’m sure he enjoys the attention. He joins a proud group of fellow religious leaders (Falwell, Robertson, Phelps, bin Baz, Zawahiri, etc.) who attract attention by making sure their followers know who God wants them to hate.
I do suspect American revenue is one factor. I hate to say it, but some Episcopalians have deep pockets (I’m not one of them). There is something lucrative in gaining those members. However, your take is more spot on. Akinola’s definitely wants power and influence, being the loudest voice in a Pan-African Anglican group united in their opposition in homosexuality. That this could be a unifiying factor between Christian and Islamic factions in Africa is frightening. What about peace and justice?
On a personal level, it bothers me because it feeds into the homophobia here, but also it affects the civil rights of many Africans.