wfn.org | Episcopalians: Nigerian Archbishop Akinola seated on international throne of New York cathed

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

July 16, 2002

2002-176

Episcopalians: Nigerian Archbishop Akinola seated on 
international throne of New York cathedral

by Neva Rae Fox

(ENS) "I believe this is a historic and propitious moment in the 
life of our beloved Anglican Communion." 

With those visionary words, the Rt. Rev. Mark Sisk, bishop of 
the Episcopal Diocese of New York, installed the Primate of the 
Anglican Church of Nigeria on the International Cathedra 
of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan. 

Over 500 people watched as Archbishop Peter Akinola was 
seated on the international throne on Sunday, July 7. The 
majestic cathedral radiated a festive mood with all the 
trappings. Many visitors were adorned in colorful African robes 
befitting the welcoming of an African leader, with African drums 
and music greeting the procession as it made its way to the high 
altar. 

"This is a moment when we reach around the globe and join 
hands with our brothers and sisters in the faith," said Sisk in 
addressing the congregation. "This is moment when we see face to 
face those for whom and with whom we pray. This is a moment in 
which we affirm that our essential unity in Christ transcends 
our need to agree in every particular. This is a moment in which 
we confirm that not only is our communion broad enough and 
strong enough to withstand diversity, we are strong enough to 
realize that our very strength is enhanced by our diversity."

Global mosaic

All who stepped to the lectern--Sisk and Akinola, as well as 
Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold and Dean James Kowalski of 
the cathedral--addressed the different contexts of the global 
mosaic.

"It is my belief, it is my conviction, it is my hope, that we 
in New York will be made stronger by a closer fellowship with 
the church in Nigeria as you, our brothers and sisters, witness 
Christ's presence and love in the face of some of the most 
demanding and even dangerous settings on earth," said Sisk. "And 
in turn, is it my hope and conviction that the witness of the 
church in Nigeria will be enhanced and strengthened by a 
deepened fellowship with us here in New York as we too, in our 
way, attempt to witness to the abiding love of God for all 
people, wherever and in it whatever circumstances they may find 
themselves."

Akinola drew applause when he announced with sincerity, "You 
have accepted us as we are, no strings attached. And for this we 
are very grateful. In so doing, we believe that both you and I 
have left the door open for stronger mutual friendship, for 
greater deepening and understanding of our relationships."

Talking about the phenomenal growth of the Anglican Church in 
Nigeria, Akinola cited his diocese's decision to plant 52 
churches in 2002. "In May 40 were already planted," he 
announced. "In the middle of last week, five more had been 
planted. For us, church growth is a task that must be done."

Moving beyond doubts

Griswold relayed the rockiness of his initial meeting with 
Akinola two years ago, based on some public criticisms the 
archbishop made of developments in the American church, 
particularly on sexuality issues. "Because of what had been 
reported, I was none too sure that I wanted to meet him. He, on 
the other hand, had similar doubts about me." After meeting, 
praying and sharing together, they quickly became friends and 
learned "to appreciate the very different contexts in which we 
were called to be ministers of Christ." 

Following their first meeting, Akinola asked Griswold to 
visit his country for the Nigerian bishops' annual retreat, a 
trip reported in the 
national Episcopal press. The presiding bishop was asked if he 
came with an agenda, "not simply because I was the primate of 
ECUSA but because the force of the United States economically 
and culturally is such that the Episcopal Church is seen as part 
of that highly ambiguous reality which is perceived as both 
curse and blessing known as globalization."

Griswold then told of the success and joy at the visit. 
"Little did I realize the invitation to Nigeria was an 
invitation to meet Christ clothed in a context and a cultural 
reality very different from my own," he said. "There democracy 
is still very much a fragile experiment and much of the 
infrastructure we take for granted is tenuous, to say the least. 
It is therefore the church, engaged in what it calls pragmatic 
evangelism, that is seeking to build many of the structures of 
civil society seen always as an expression of the Gospel and 
part of the ongoing work of evangelization."

Kowalski underscored the symbolism of the occasion, noting 
that hosting Akinola showed that Anglicans could "stand together 
despite our differences."

Answering questions

Following the service, St. James Chapel was jammed with men 
and women from the USA, Africa, and all parts of the world who 
wanted to meet the archbishop and learn more about him. Akinola 
greeted every question with calmness and a smile. 

In response as to whether he previously had made disparaging 
comments about lesbians and gays, Akinola maintained that he had 
been misquoted. "Anybody in my position suffers from press 
interpretation all the time," he stated, announcing that he is 
often faced with people who "come with their own agenda. These 
are misleading people, people who deliberately mislead others," 
he stated. "The question did not ask about gays and lesbians." 

Concerning the appallingly rapid growth of HIV/AIDS in 
Africa, Akinola pointed out the work the church. "In Nigeria, we 
have engaged more in the area of counseling." 

The Church of Nigeria is the fastest-growing member of the 
worldwide Anglican Communion, with 18 million members, comprised 
of 78 dioceses in three provinces. Others who have been seated 
on the International Throne are: Vasken I, Catholikos of the 
Armenian Church (February 1989); Karekin II, Catholicos of 
Cilicia (February 1989); Archbishop Michael Peers, Primate of 
Canada (October 1989); Archbishop George Carey, Archbishop of 
Canterbury (September 1992); Archbishop Orland Lindsay, Primate 
of the West Indies (June 1994); Metropolitan Sergei, Moscow 
Patriarchate (March 1997).

------

--Neva Rae Fox is director of communications for the Episcopal 
Diocese of New York.