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UGANDA: Archbishop Orombi Tells L.A. Bishop No Change in Course

UGANDA PRIMATE TELLS LA BISHOP NO CHANGE IN COURSE

The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno
Diocese of Los Angeles
Cathedral Center of St. Paul
840 Echo Park Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90026

11/19/2004

Dear Bishop Bruno,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I, the Archbishop, have just returned home from three weeks of travel and have received your letter dated 3rd November requesting a meeting with Bishops Evans Kisekka, Ben Benitez, and me [regarding Bishop Benitez having delegated episcopal pastoral oversight of our three Los Angeles churches].

We have read the Windsor Report and are still thinking and praying through its observations and recommendations. The CAPA primates discussed it while we were together in Lagos at the end of October, and all the primates will consider it at our February meeting in Ireland. Accordingly, we think it would be premature to have such a meeting.

For us, the Windsor Report’s call for expressions of “regret” is not a sufficient response to the crisis ECUSA’s actions have created in the Anglican Communion. What is needed is clear repentance in both word and deed. Furthermore, even though English is our second language, we know enough to know that it does not make logical sense for one to express regret for another’s perception. Yet, that is what you have done in saying, “I wish to express my deepest regret that you … have perceived actions I have taken… as having harmed the communion we share in Christ.” We find it incomprehensible that you could have written this letter without even acknowledging the possibility that your actions have actually, in fact, created the crisis we are experiencing in this beloved Anglican Communion.

Likewise, we find it inconceivable that the warnings prior to your 2003 General Convention from the four instruments of unity – the Lambeth Conference of Bishops, the Anglican Consultative Council, the Primates of the Anglican Communion, and the Archbishop of Canterbury – to not proceed with the election as bishop of a man living in an active homosexual relationship were not sufficient. The Windsor Report does not reveal anything new about the consequences of ECUSA’s actions than were forewarned prior to your General Convention.

We are reminded of the story of the rich man and Lazarus in the 16th chapter of Luke. It appears that, to you, the Windsor Report is like Lazarus coming back to you to tell you something you have actually already heard and known. You have Moses and the prophets; you had the clear mind of the Anglican Communion’s position on sexuality and sexual behavior. And, if you will not listen to them, then we have no reason to believe that you will also listen to the Windsor Report.

Our churches in Los Angeles came to us like children who were running away from home, and we have offered them a safe place to be. So for us, the first question that must be asked is Why are they running away? We didn't look for them or hunt for them. We are responding to a need. And, we will continue to respond to a need until the local problem is resolved; we will not relinquish them into a spiritually dangerous situation. Therefore, we see no need for a meeting until you and the Diocese of Los Angeles have repented of your participation in and promotion of unbiblical behavior and teaching.

Yours, in Christ,

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA.

The Rt. Rev. Evans Kisekka
BISHOP OF LUWEERO DIOCESE.

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