Africans act before US reply

Three more American clergy have been ordained by African churches in the lead-up to the September 30 deadline set for the US Episcopal Church to stop the ordination of gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex relationships, and set up a self-governing organisation for the US’s ‘traditionalist’ Anglicans.

Despite Episcopal opposition, Uganda’s Anglican Church ordained John Guernsey in Virginia, while Kenya’s Anglican Church ordained Bill Murdoch of Massachusetts and Bill Atwood of Texas in late August.

All three leaders will serve in the US and answer to the African churches who ordained them.

As SC went to press, the US House of Bishops released its reply, which confirmed the Episcopal Church’s moratorium on the future appointment of ‘non-celibate’ partnered homosexuals, affirmed its ban on formal blessings for same-sex couples, and addressed alternative Episcopal oversight for ‘dissident’ parishes.

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