5. GLOBAL CONCERNS
a. As a result of a presentation of a mission survey in the Sudan we were humbled by the remarkable faith of the bishops, clergy and congregations in a country that has been devastated by war for more than two decades. We embraced the Primate’s call for a continuing Sudan Mission Initiative and as initial steps appointed the Dean, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, as the interim Sudan Mission Coordinator to work with the leadership of the Church of the Sudan so that we might discern together the next steps for this partnership. We resolved to continue the work of the Church of Nigeria Mission Society locally and in the francophone countries of West Africa including Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivore, Chad, Niger, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Mali and Togo and individual dioceses are urged to take an active role in specific projects.
b. Following the Primate’ report on the meeting of the GAFCON Primates Council with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the House of Bishops, while expressing support for this effort to build bridges, stressed that in any effort to bring restoration to the Communion there can be no compromise on the need for genuine repentance by those who have walked away from the ”˜faith once delivered to the saints’. We are, however, delighted by the continuing fruit of GAFCON, the developing Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans around the world, the work of the GAFCON Primates Council and the emerging Anglican Church in North America.
I have read and re-read this heartening word from Nigeria, in particular b. under global concerns. I wanted to comment, rejoicing on the faithfulness of so many people, then I read the bad news from Colorado. The contrast leaves me in an emotional turmoil, joy mixed with grief. I know that joy will win out…hope it is soon.
287 new parishes in just one diocese of Nigeria in the last 12 months! ECUSA leadership is out of it’s mind in condeming ++Akinola and other African Anglican leaders. What have ECUSA leaders done except drive people away from their wonderful gospel.