Aug 05, 2005   | COMMENTS     

ABUJA, Nigeria — One of the most powerful leaders in the Anglican Communion worldwide this week called for the Church of England to be suspended from the communion for its support of civil partnerships for gay couples, the Sunday Times reported. Peter Akinola, archbishop of Nigeria, made his comments in response to a pastoral statement last week from English bishops, who said they would allow gay clergy to register their civil partnership if they agree to abstain from sex, Christian Today reported. Britain’s Civil Partnership Act becomes effective in December and offers legal recognition for gay partners. Akinola, leader of the largest Anglican province in the world, condemned the move by English bishops and called for disciplinary action against Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, head of the Church of England. “I believe that the temporary suspension of the Church of England is the right course of action to take,” Akinola said.

Nine bishops plan to take Connecticut cleric to church court
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Nine conservative Episcopal bishops said last week that they will take Connecticut’s bishop to religious court over his suspension of one priest and his threat to remove five others. The conflict stems from Connecticut Bishop Andrew Smith’s support for Rev. V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the church’s first openly gay bishop. Robinson’s 2003 consecration has divided the U.S. Episcopal Church and expanded the rift over gay issues among churches in the global Anglican Communion. Dubbed the “Connecticut Six,” the priests had asked to be supervised by a different bishop because they disagreed with Smith’s support for Robinson. Earlier this month, Smith used his power to “inhibit” one of the six, Rev. Mark Hansen, and appointed another priest to lead St. John’s Church in Bristol.

Methodist pastor removed for banning gay parishioner
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Methodist minister accused of refusing to admit a gay parishioner to his rural church is appealing after church leaders banished him from the ministry for one year. Rev. Edward Johnson, former pastor of South Hill United Methodist Church, is scheduled to go before the Judicial Council in Houston in late October, according to a docket. The council — the church’s equivalent of a high court — will have the final say on whether a June 13 decision removing the pastor was valid, said Rev. W. Anthony Layman, retired superintendent for Johnson’s region. Layman said the punishment stemmed from Johnson’s actions in December, in which he turned away a gay person who wanted to join South Hill’s congregation. Layman said he had confronted Johnson in January about what he considered a violation of church rules.

Lutheran leader hopes looming gay vote won’t split church
CHICAGO — The head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the latest Protestant group in a showdown over homosexuality, said last week he hopes the denomination will stay united no matter what the outcome of its debate. The ELCA General Assembly is scheduled to vote during an Aug. 8-14 meeting in Orlando, Fla., on whether gays in committed relationships should be ordained and their same-sex unions blessed. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson said he hoped anyone contemplating leaving the denomination would consider the church’s role beyond its stance on homosexuality. “I think as a large church body, we have great capacity to be in mission together that is diminished when we are apart,” he said.

Atlanta church parts ways with UCC over marriage issue
While many United Church of Christ congregations supported the General Synod’s resolution this summer to affirm marriage equality, the denomination’s leadership knew there would be fallout from the vote. Center Congregational UCC in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood voted July 24 to part ways with the UCC. “The desire to try and remain in communion with the UCC was really stretched so far, and we are not able to stretch that far,” said Rev. J.R. McAliley, pastor of the 100-year-old church. “We are open, but we will not be affirming. We are open to all people, but we will never condone sin,” he said. “How can we continue to be Christian in the middle of all that?” In Savannah, Ga., Rev. Rod Sprauve said his 75-member First Congregational UCC church opposed the General Synod’s vote, but hasn’t decided whether to leave the denomination.

From staff and wire reports