Anglican Church in Nigeria hasn’t shifted ground on same sex marriage –Bishop

Written by Duncan Sunday, 16 October 2011

Your lordship, congratulations over the synod that held recently in Ogoja, Cross River State.

I am glad to testify that God has been faithful to his people and the church because He tremendously enabled it to be the huge success it was. Let me quickly add that in the last two years, we concentrated on the consolidation of our new churches, and were able to surmount different challenges by completing projects.  God did much for us.  His favours have encompassed us here.

What have been your achievements this past year?

First, let’s say that we have grown spiritually in the diocese through our Bible studies, evangelical programmes and crusades.  Building works are going on in different parts of the diocese.  Through our Women Ministries in the diocese we have completed the new Mary Sumner Clinic and have bought a brand new bus. Our indigenous church membership has largely increased.  There are some of our congregations that are 100 percent indigenous, including pastors of such congregations. The list is endless.

Is the Anglican Church still holding to its stand on same sex marriage?

The Anglican Church in Nigeria has not shifted its stand on homosexuality and same sex marriage.  Our stand is still clear.  We are saying that they are immoral and against all reasonable opinion.

Can we look at the state of the nation, your lordship?

Firstly, let me congratulate His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan over his victory at the polls at the general elections in April 2011. But let me say that one of his main challenges presently is the problem of electricity.  It has become chronic.  This, as a matter of fact, is an understatement.  Without light, homes, industries and institutions cannot function.

Today, if you travel anywhere without a torch, you are likely to be endangering your life!  You need a torch near you anytime it is dark.  You also need these China made emergency torch light to read or write. Unfortunately, you need electricity to recharge them...Then you need a generator. It does not matter if it is the one they call ‘I pass my neighbour’.

The effects of these generating plants are many.  You have to bear with the noise.  If you survive the smoke coming from them and you do not die immediately, you certainly will die slowly.  These days, it is not uncommon for you to hear noise all around the community as if the entire town is industrialized and the factories and industries are themselves not working round the clock.  The irony is that the actual factories are not working!

But the president is now taking this sector seriously?

The president has repeatedly told us that the situation will change. We have no problem with his promises because we have always regarded him as someone who means well for this country. He sounds serious.  But, our problem is that whereas the president may be hard working with good intentions, it is difficult for us to say this about those who work with him. Generally, Nigerians lack commitment. Apart from the fact that we are inherently lazy and a fun loving people, we are also greedy. We have appetite that is difficult to satisfy.

What do you advise?

Let the president think of privatizing the sector. Privatisation is still the best option to get us the electricity which will keep us functioning. We strongly believe that individuals and companies who can do it should be allowed to generate and distribute power. It will make electricity available and generate healthy competition. It will aid productivity. It will give us a better life to live. When the federal government is privatizing our power sector, let it give it to serious minded people who will not just pay peanuts for it and increase our problems. Privatization has worked effectively in other places in the world. We believe it will work in Nigeria, if our fun loving leaders will allow it.

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