Peter Akinola, statesman
Peter Akinola, who pushed legislation in Nigeria that would have criminalized direct and indirect displays of same sex affection, in public and in private, is now speaking out against efforts to protect gay people against hate crimes in the United States.
His statement brings to mind an op-ed column by Bishop John Bryson Chane of the Diocese of Washington, published in The Washington Post last February. In it, he wrote:
Were Archbishop Akinola a solitary figure and Nigeria an isolated church, his support for institutionalized bigotry would be significant only within his own country. But the archbishop is perhaps the most powerful member of a global alliance of conservative bishops and theologians, generously supported by foundations and individual donors in the United States, who seek to dominate the Anglican Communion and expel those who oppose them, particularly the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada. Failing that, the archbishop and his allies have talked of forming their own purified communion -- possibly with Archbishop Akinola at its head.
Because the conflict over homosexuality is not unique to Anglicanism, civil libertarians in this country, and other people as well, should also be aware of the archbishop and his movement. Gifts from such wealthy donors as Howard Ahmanson Jr. and the Bradley, Coors and Scaife families, or their foundations, allow the Washington-based Institute on Religion and Democracy to sponsor so-called "renewal" movements that fight the inclusion of gays and lesbians within the Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches and in the United Church of Christ. Should the institute succeed in "renewing" these churches, what we see in Nigeria today may well be on the agenda of the Christian right tomorrow.
(Emphasis added.)
Aren't these some of the same rich folks who funded the "vast right-wing conspiracy" attacks against the Clintons?
They seem to want to establish a form of government in the US that approaches the theocratic, one in which only "the pure" can roam free.
June Butler
Posted by GrandmèreMimi![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 17, 2007 12:07 PM
Not only does it approach theocratic, there is evidence that is the goal of these groups.
Ahmanson was a disciple of Rushdooney for many years, who is considered the grandfather of the Dominionist movement.
Anderson of the Ameican Anglican Council was later Ahmanson's rector. The birth of the AAC was made possible by a partnership between Ahmanson, the IRD and the AAC.
From the AAC came the Network. It is not a stretch to suggest that the Network, and their foreign friends, represent the extreme right within the Episcopal Church.
"Following the Money," which is somewhere on this site I'm sure, is an excellent expose of the connections between the various extremist groups.
Terry Martin
Posted by Jake![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 17, 2007 2:20 PM
Jake, thanks for the reminder. I found the "Following the Money" series and saved the links to read later.
Posted by GrandmèreMimi![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 17, 2007 2:46 PM