Primate of Anglican Church of Nigeria Tasks Bishops To ‘Resist Standardizing Homosexual Lifestyles’

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As Anglican Church of Nigeria Consecrates 3 New Bishops, Primate Charges Them Not To Condone Homosexual Marriage

Three new bishops were yesterday consecrated by the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, at the Cathedral of Saint Jude, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Ebute-Meta.

The three new bishops are the Very Rev. Simeon O. Borokini, as Bishop of Akure. He was until his election, Provost of the Cathedral Church of St. David, Akure; Ven. James O. Odedeji, as Bishop of Lagos. He was formerly the Dean of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja and Ven. Geoffrey E. Okoroafor, as Bishop of Egbu. He was the former Vicar of Zion Anglican Church and Archdeacon of Okpala Archdeaconry.

In his message, the primate charged the new bishops to “concentrate on the spread of the gospel, maintain high standard of morality among the people and to, in every way, resist the attempt to make homosexual lifestyle a standard in the church.”

Okoh maintained that; “The biblical tradition about Christian marriage is a man and a woman and as such; “same sex marriage should not be condoled in our church.” He charged the new bishops to make sure they watch the people and watch their lifestyles.

“Those who have problems with their sexual orientations should come for counseling and prayer. But those who insist on imposing their ways upon the church should have no place in the church,” he said.

Describing the consecration of the new bishops as “renewed energy” for the church, Primate Okoh noted that “it is a laid down rule in the church for every bishop to retire at the age of 70, so as to give room to the younger ones to perform. “As the old ones are retiring, new ones are coming on board,” he said.

He enjoined the bishops and Christians generally to be addicted to the religion, pointing out that “If a person is really not addicted as a Christian, or let say to Christ, or to the things of Christ, the truth is that he is not a Christian.

“If he cannot stand out to be counted, he is really not a Christian. If a bishop is not addicted in preaching the gospel, living the life of a believer through and through, or put in another way, work righteously, vigorously and even contagiously, as a Christian, so that his life can affect or impact others positively, then that person is really not a bishop.

Reacting to Pope Benedict XV1 final resignation this week, during a chat with journalists, Primate Okoh commended the Pope, saying that his resignation has only set a good example for others.