Michael Ingham would like us all to believe that African Bishops such as Akinola and Orombi are mere puppets of sinister “elements” in the US that are, for their own nefarious, colonial and probably profit-inspired motives, opposed to sodomy. Such is the miasma currently wafting from the Twilight Zone:
There are definitely those in Africa who believe that the constant references to issues of human sexuality are the hobby horse of a handful of bishops. There are also those who can tell when an African voice delivers a message that has been crafted in the “west.” Many African bishops feel that a few of their colleagues are being used by elements from the United States to continue an American agenda. They are increasingly frustrated by this colonial dynamic.
There have actually been more than a few occasions where it turned out that Americans and Brits were writing Akinola’s statements. (Which does not, of course, prove that the statements did not reflect Akinola’s own views.) In addition, the massive financial support for Akinola, Orombi et al has been documented by Jim Naughton, formerly of the Diocese of Washington. The YouTube video (via AnglicanTV) wherein Orombi gloats over “the money, so much money” that he has received via the Ahmanson front groups has, of course, been taken down.
I don’t doubt that Akinola, Orombi et al really do disapprove of the reappraiser position on human sexuality. However, one is moved to wonder if this tertiary (at best) issue would have become the credal issue of the new millenium if not for the deep pockets of Howard Ahmonson and the so-called Institute for Religion and Democracy. After all, IRD’s sole raison d’etre has been the political marginalization of mainline denominations. The manufactured sexuality crisis has been very effective in keeping the Episcopal Church focussed on ecclesio-political matters.
Malcolm,
If Jim Naughton were as far to the right (ultra-right is your preferred epithet, I believe) as he is to the left, you would write him off with the alacrity that you’ve written off the IRD; so, putting yourself in my position, you can understand that you’ll have to do better than Jim Naughton.
Most inconvenient.
In which case it is no more an “American agenda” – as Ingham asserts – than an African one.
One might, on the other hand, be moved to wonder why the IRD even bothers to expose the antics of a so-called church that independently works so fervently to marginalise itself by pursuing an agenda of normalising buggery; Akinola and Orombi hardly need the IRD’s prompting. Funny how different perspectives can be isn’t it – but that’s all part of the diversity that you so cherish.
TEC and the ACoC are focussed on their own survival, their outlook is solipsistic and their leaders are to blame; the resulting gadarene slide into oblivion is transparently apparent to Orombi, Akinola and everyone else in North America who has extricated himself from their pernicious clutches.
Other than that, we appear to be in agreement.
David and Malcolm+,
In the spirit of finding common ground, you probably also agree that the sun rises in the easr and sets in the west. I also bet that there are some food groups that you both share.
Peace,
Jim
This statement from Mr. Ingham (I refuse to insult the Apostle’s by referring to Mr. Ingham as “Bishop”) is nothing more than the “pot calling the kettle black”. It is an old tactic of those who lie and spread deciept to accuse others of doing those things that they themselves do.
And just what “American agenda” could Mr. Ingham be referring to? From what I have abserved the most prominent “American agenda” is to spread sexual permiscuity and the murder of children (witness Mrs. Clintons recent comments regarding Canada’s correct position on refusing to fund abortions in other contries).