Protest of Abp. Akinola Set for This Sunday

From Episcopal Life:

Bishop William Persell of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago has told diocesan clergy that Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola "did not extend the normal courtesy of contacting me about his visit" within the diocese.

The Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) congregations in Illinois have invited Akinola, primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, to celebrate the Holy Eucharist with them on September 23 at Edman Chapel at Wheaton College.

The AMiA describes itself as "a missionary movement of Rwanda committed to reaching the unchurched in North America."

In a September 14 letter to Chicago's diocesan clergy, Persell said he had no knowledge about whether Akinola had been in communication with Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori or Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams about the visit. "Amidst the highly charged political rhetoric in our nation and around the world concerning events of the Anglican Communion, I want you to know that the Diocese of Chicago has no connection with the visit of Archbishop Akinola," Persell said...

...Persell said that he is aware that there will be a "respectful, silent protest outside the service on behalf of LGBT Africans."

"We continued to be blessed by the rich diversity brought to our diocese by the gifts and talents of all our people including our most conservative members, moderates, liberals, who are straight, lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgendered," Persell wrote. "The God who unites us and calls us together in all our diversity for mission is stronger than those who would fracture our unity in Christ. Be of good courage and cheer"...

Regarding the protest Bp. Persell mentioned, it is definately on. It has been organized by our friend Josh Thomas. Read more about it here. Specifics regarding the protest can be found here. The following is the essential information from Josh for all those intending to participate in this protest:

...The demonstration will be peaceful and will not disrupt the church service. It is aimed not only at the archbishop but at his American enablers, former Episcopalians with a particular antipathy for Gay people who are splitting the Church to keep Gay people out.

Gay and Straight Episcopalians will gather at 8 a.m. for Mass at St. James’s Cathedral, 65 E. Huron St., Chicago, then drive to Wheaton for the demonstration, which will last one hour, from 10-11 a.m. Protesters will march in procession on the sidewalk opposite the Wheaton College Chapel and will not interfere with those attending the church service.

The demonstration is co-sponsored by dailyoffice.org, a prayer website serving the Episcopal Church, and the Gay Liberation Network of Chicago.

Dailyoffice.org sponsored an American speaking tour for Davis Mac-Iyalla earlier this summer, with appearances in 20 U.S. cities.

For more information contact Josh Thomas at josh@dailyoffice.org.

Thanks for pointing to the EL article, Bonnie.

J.