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CENTRAL AFRICA: Separation with US Episcopal Church inevitable

Separation with US Episcopal Church inevitable
27 February, 2004

GABORONE - Episcopal synod of the Anglican province of central Africa
comprising bishops from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe feels
separation with Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA) is
inevitable.

The separation would become permanent if there is no repentance by the
Anglican Church in America.

This follows last year's ordination in the New Hemisphere, United States,
of an active homosexual as a bishop.

Archbishop Bernard Malango of Malawi said after the meeting held at the
Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Gaborone on Wednesday that the ordination
"has inflicted a desperately grave wound to the church and the communion".

He said ECUSA has ignored the clear voice of God contained in the Bible.

Malango said the 62 bishops who consecrated the gay bishop have disregarded
the anguished cries of the primates of the Anglican communion, Christians as
well as that of the Anglican Consultative Council not to go ahead with the
election of the gay priest.

He said ECUSA's arrogance has irreparably shattered trust and fellowship
amongst fellow church members across the globe.

"Sincere repentance is the only thing that could rescue those involved in
the election of the gay priest" Malango said.

He added that the presiding bishop of ECUSA and other bishops who have
acted with him could not have been clearer.

Despite pleas from elsewhere, the ECUSA bishops have declared independence
from the Anglican communion.

The separation created by ECUSA, according to Malango, cannot be ignored.

"The province of Central Africa declares that relationship is fractured and
communion is impaired and it is not possible to share what they have
fractured," he said.

Malango also said the separation is therefore necessary for the
"maintenance of Gospel integrity and spiritual safety of our people".

He said the way forward would be not to ignore the authority of the Bible,
which does not allow sin.

Malango said some countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda have already cut
ties with ECUSA. BOPA

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