GAFCON security
Paul Handley in Jerusalem, reporting at the Church Times blog:
security guards have been assigned to some of the GAFCON participants. They were first noticeable on the Mount of Olives, where the Primate of Nigeria was flanked by two guards, complete with Raybans and curly wires leading to ear-pieces.If you believe everything you read, the Gafconites are on edge about the Gay Pride march:This was trumped by the Bishop of Rochester, whose press conference was staffed by three attentive guards. Journalists were left wondering whether this said more about about the Bishop or about them.
Dr Nazir-Ali, in reply to a question, said that he had stayed away from home for a day after police advised him to avoid an anti-homophobia rally in Rochester (which turned out to consist of five people, dropping to three when the weather turned). The coincidence of GAFCON with a Gay Pride march on Thursday cannot have helped put organisers at their ease.
"Tactically it positions them to make a statement in the midst of a global orthodox event that is focusing on the redemption of people including homosexuals," said one North American Anglican bishop.Not that there is any connection between that stoning and the stoning story we had this morning. Or that disastrous GAFCON news conference.Gay activists moved the event up from June 21 to June 26 for no apparent reason, but observers believe this was done to embarrass the organizers and pilgrims of GAFCON. "Clearly it is an in your face act because if the appearance of British and American homosexual activists," said a GAFCON spokesperson.
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Both Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola and Church of England Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali (Rochester) have personal security agents standing feet away from them at all times. Both men can only be approached by invitation only (sic).Last year the Gay Pride Parade drew 10,000 police who guarded the parade because Orthodox Jews stoned them.
The Gay pride parade draws GLBT Jews from around the world.
I just want to make sure I understand what the GAFCON folks are alleging here: Jews from the US and the UK have been following events in the Anglican Communion so closely that they have hopped on planes to Jerusalem to get in the faces of people whose faces were much more accesible to them in their own countries. Yes?
Posted by Jim Naughton![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 25, 2008 3:01 PM
The definition of homophobia is "fear of homosexuals." Gay people freak these guys out.
It makes me wonder if the anti-Akinola demonstration last year in Wheaton, IL (50 gentle souls, some of them Straight) was more influential than anyone imagined.
Meanwhile the schismatic blogs rail constantly about Gene Robinson's security measures. Who's more likely to get threatened and attacked, the Straight guy or the Gay guy?
Posted by Josh Thomas![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 25, 2008 4:52 PM
Who's more likely to get threatened and attacked, the Straight guy or the Gay guy?
In the Middle East? The anti-Muslim guy!
Posted by David Austin Allen![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 26, 2008 6:48 PM