Baaa! Humbug.
Mark Harris, writing at his blog, Preludium comments on the speech to the Province of Nigera by Archbishop Peter Akinola, Nigeria:
Ever the political lion, etc, the Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, has seen fit to make comments on the Western and US scene. As a primate with oversight of a proto-diocese in the United States, he speaks "from the chair" to the West. All part of ecclesial sausage making: he seems to think that if you package it right, you can put anything in it they will eat it. But not this time. This time the Archbishop has put poison in the grinder.
Akinola: "As a Church we cannot but continue to decry the disturbing level of moral decadence and spiritual degradation eating deep into the soul of western societies. In the United Kingdom, all through Europe and in ever increasing number of States in America, Legislators make laws to upturn the natural order and throw God away from the public domain. Marriage and family life as we know them in the word of God have been jettisoned. People of the same sex are legally permitted to marry. Parents’ right to discipline their children is legally denied, the age of discretion that used to be 21 has been lowered 18 and there are efforts at reducing it to 16 if not 14. As if these are not bad enough, only last week the TELL magazine reported in its 36th edition on page 12 that a 27 year old man was arrested for having sex with a sheep in Dulwich, south east London."
Harris: There it is: the three strikes and out - Strike one, upturning the natural order, Strike two marriage and family life are jettisoned. Strike three, guy pokes sheep.
As to Abp Akinola's comments on the US elections and the Presidential candidates Harris writes:
What is remarkable is that the Archbishop of Nigeria has decided to chastise an American presidential candidate. Now to be fair, clergy of American congregations are given occasionally to telling their governors what to do, and the Archbishop of Nigeria is known to have done the same in Nigeria. But for the Archbishop to make public comments regarding one but not both of the candidates for election in the US Presidential election is very peculiar indeed.He is meddling in US Politics at a very primary level, calling on one of the candidates to "reconsider some of his ultra liberal dispositions," that is to repent.
He can do what he damn well pleases, of course. Freedom ain't worth nothing but its free. Still, he might remember that a fairly large number of Americans do not particularly like foreign potentates telling them what to do, who to vote for, and we sure don't like them telling particular candidates of ours to repent.
Read the rest of the blog here.
Read the speech here.
And...then of course there *is* the matter of the ghastily on-the-ground corruption in heavily challenged Nigeria...many folks were murdered TODAY! I suggest, Archbishop Akinola take a personal moral inventory...we'll await his indignation and/or spin/result.
Posted by Leonardo Ricardo![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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September 30, 2008 8:36 PM
Leonardo,
I don't think you can fault the Archbishop for ignoring corruption.
From: http://www.anglican-nig.org/forward/gs2008-primateaddr.pdf
"At the government level, the nation still has a long way to go in its war against
corruption. From all indications, it seems to me government is merely chasing
shadows as it has not yet demonstrated the necessary political will and the moral
courage to grab the bull by the horn. What we have seen so far is at best mere
political rhetoric. On the issue of corruption, we bark but unable to bite.
All those who should be languishing in jail are going about freely, making political noise,
calling the shots and receiving traditional chieftaincy titles and university honorary
doctorate degrees. Some try to find relevance in the Church. This evil must stop,
because among other things it has a profound negative impact on hard working
honest people.
Further, it is time we alert our government that in our context, the cost of
governance is outrageously disproportionate to the national resources and our
level of development. At a time when over 70% of our people live below the poverty line, and the so-called poverty alleviation programmes have become more of poverty elevation scheme in its implementation, politics has become sadly financially so attractive that Nigerians would do anything to get ‘elected’.
Who does not know that in getting to office their first preoccupation is how to recoup their investment with huge profit? They can never be free agents to serve the fatherland with patriotic zeal. Little wonder the noise making national assembly
has become more of a Talk Shop Company Nig. plc.
The government must convince itself as well as demonstrate to all and sundry that it is serious in its resolve to rid itself and every aspect of our national life of the evil of indiscipline and corruption. In addition to whatever action plan the government may be putting in place, we urge that these points below be given prompt attention for immediate implementation.
1. Down size and trim the government. There are presently, too many
people prowling government house and offices with absolutely nothing tangible to do.
2. Every year, before a new budget for the coming year is presented for the approval of the National Assembly, it is incumbent on the government to give Nigerians details of the performance of the current
budget and show indisputable evidence of what the budget has
accomplished. In this regard we ought to put in place a National Budget Performance Monitoring Commission made up of men and women of integrity who have no price tags on their foreheads. Such a Commission is to make a monthly broadcast of its findings to the Nation.
3. National Assembly must insist that certified audit report of accounts of the previous year is a pre- requisite for the consideration of a new budget.
4. Government must ensure that there are no sacred cows. To this end,
we must have a well resourced judiciary with incorruptible judges,
courageous, men of integrity and honour to preside over cases that
relate to corrupt practices.
5. For effective enforcement of all legal provisions in our law books,
touching on this cankerworm, Nigeria most urgently needs a well
funded, adequately equipped, properly motivated and legally
empowered police force that will discharge its duties for the sake of fatherland without counting the cost.
6. Reports of all investigated cases that have been swept under the
carpet over the years must be brought to light and culprits dealt with
according law. All inconclusive probes must be concluded with despatch and disposed.
7. We insist that it is made legally mandatory that prior to any person
taking office whether in the private or public sector, the person must
make a public declaration of his assets AND upon leaving office repeat
the exercise."
Posted by Jeremy Bonner![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 2, 2008 4:17 PM