Here is an excerpt from one:
Our problem is coming from American. Now Akinola is walking with someone named Martyn Minns but we know that Akinola is a puppet for Minns. Most of what Akinola says and his press releases are written
by Minns and coming from America. We want to attend the Lambeth Conference to make the presence of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in Nigeria known. TEC can help us with that. Now we need your help, your spiritual help and your financial help.”The question was asked, “If we speak out and come to your aid, we risk loosing our place in the Communion. That means you will loose our voice on your behalf. What do you say about that?” He replied, “That is a sort of black mail. If you are quiet and TEC doesn’t come to help us, we do not stand a chance.”
A second question came about his plans for the future. He replied, “I was frightened and had to leave Nigeria… I went to a conference in England and then demonstrated in Geneva. I don’t want to live in Europe. What I am doing is for my people in Nigeria. The Nigerian government is still pursuing me and they want to kill me. Colin (Changing Attitudes, England) gave me money to go to Dar es Salaam and I tried to confront Akinola. He said he was ill. ”
Several gay activists in the room started commenting, saying that Nigeria’s behavior towards gays violates international and human rights treaties and that Nigeria routinely kills gays.
The time allotted ended and Davis was embraced and encouraged as a hero. Both committees had confidential meetings. As of tonight, there is no decision on whether he will be allowed to address the full Council. He is still here. Davis plans to return to Togo in East Africa soon.
I have not had the opportunity to full research his claims….
Is Cherie Wetzel someone who can be trusted? She acknowledges that she publishes rumours without verification…
I think republishing her tripe (Akinola is Minns’ puppet) doesn’t help matters (except I guess it shows why the level of discord is so high on the part of the 815 crowd).
A question-
If you were an openly active gay male, would you rather live in a country run by:
A. Peter Akinola
B. Muhammad Khatami
C. Fidel Castro
It is interesting that the reasserters embrace the latter two and would love to stone ++Akinola…
William: You meant to say reappraisers instead of reasserters didn’t you?
Cherie Wetzel would do well to investigate Davis’ claims, and the counter-claims against Davis. This is not one to be judged by surface appearances.
“The National Concerns Committee, after cocktails in the Presiding Bishop’s penthouse, chartered a boat to take them around Manhattan and prepare their dinner,…”
My, my. ECUSA’s leadership lives in style.
Just think of how far the money spent on a Manhattan Island dinner cruise would go in establishing, say a medical clinic, in a third world country, let’s say the Darfur area of Sudan?
And I’m sure that it was a BYOB cocktail party. No expensive drinks or bartender services paid for out of ECUSA funds.
What an encouragement for greater giving to the national church.
Folks it’s not about what people say, it’s about what they actually do.
Perhaps they should consider outsourcing mission work to another Anglican province. 🙂
Mr. Sulik:
I think Ms. Wetzel is one of the good ones. She is simply reporting the Nigerian man’s comments. Afterwards, she writes :
I have not had the opportunity to full research his claims. I know
that the anti-homosexual laws have been pending for more than 2 years
in Nigeria, and have not been voted on in any branch of
government. I have read Dr. Akinola’s remarks on this legislation
but cannot comment on them with any clarity. I will also try and get
a comment from Bp. Minns. But let me clearly state: I have met Dr.
Akinola and he is no one’s puppet. That is a ludicrous suggestion.
Reading all 3 of her posts, it is clear that while she remains in TEC, she is not blind to it’s absurdities, including the penthouse cocktails and dinner cruise (ruined by weather).
The charter of the boat around Manhattan would have almost paid the entire MDG pledge for this year, not to mention the BYOB (yeah, right, and I collect rent on the GW bridge) bar.
I rejoice that I am in a Province in which local congregations raise their funds and spend their funds, with only a tithe to the diocese, and in which all real and personal property is titled to the congregations. Any askings from our diocese or province are just that, and on a ‘free-will’ basis.
In Cheryl’s third report she writes this:
Golly. KJS actually said that. CANTUAR, are you listening?
bb
The assertion that ++Akinola is anyone’s puppet is beyond absurd.
You’re right, #9, it’s beyond absurd–it’s terrifically racist.
The Epsicopal Church is a gay church not dissimilar the Metropolitan Community Church—I dont know why any of this is surprising or why people even stay in the Episcopal Church at this point.
The larger presence of Anglicans over Episcopalians is quickly becoming a fact with which The Communion is going to have to deal–there is already a defacto parallel province and it is that province that should have all claim to the Anglican franchise in America after yesterday.
The Primates need to just e-mail around and pronounce it so…
Yes, I did mean “reappraisers instead of reasserters” and yes, I should’ve gone on to read her reports. The beginning of the statement, posted above, makes it looks like this is Ms. Wetzel’s opinion.
Okay, so i’m as accurate as the NY Times…
:-S
Chip,
If you were praying for a demise to the boat trip, you will find your answer reading Cherie’s reports.
Cherie, thank you and Todd for your steadfast witness to Jesus Christ and the power of His Holy Spirit for so many years; and for these reports..
I continue to pray for you and Ted on EC, for your strength and resolve and perseverence in this witness.
RGEaton
Rob+,
Not a demise of the trip…it was booked and probably paid for before canceled…just that the cost of the charter would have made a BIG part of the .7% MDG ‘donation’.
Chip,
I got what you were saying…..I should have put a smiley emoticon after that sentence of mine. Ah, the nuance-less cyber world.
RGE+
Yes, Cherie and her husband Todd are definitely of the orthodox Anglican variety. If you were to hit the homepage first you’d see where she is coming from: http://www.anglicansunited.com (Note the purpose of the organization which used to be known as Episcopalians United for Reformation, Renewal, and Revelation.) Mrs Wetzel was extended a press pass which enabled her to observe and report on the TEC’s Executive Council meeting. She herself is a member of the Diocese of Dallas’ Executive Council.
I need to correct a small error in my reply (above — #16). Cherie is a member of the diocesan standing committee, not the exeuctive council. Her husband, the Rev. Todd H. Wetzel, served on the executive council until his term expired last year.
Hmmm…I must have had an articulation brain blod clot yesterday (6-15) in my comments. The last sentence in #13 should have had parentheses around the comment re: Ted, so as to read “….you (and Ted on EC), for your ……”
Good thing yesterday is gone.
RGEaton
Rob, you also referred to him as Ted rather than Todd. 😉
Sheepdog,
No, I got that part right. I actually was referring to Ted Y. who is currently a member of EC, not Todd W.
RGEaton
RobEaton+, my apologies! I misread as I often do.
Hopefully Cherie W. will get posts 4, 5, and 6 of her Executive Council report up soon on the A.U. site as she does make a couple of corrections and additional interesting observations.