By Catherine Sasman
WINDHOEK

THE Anglican Diocese of Namibia has distanced itself from the consecration of a gay bishop in the United States of America earlier this month.
The Anglican Diocese said this week that the church would not "admit a person living with a same sex partner to the ordained ministry nor does it approve the blessing of a same sex marriage".
A statement issued by Bishop Shihala Hamupembe said Namibia's position was in accordance with the Province of Southern Africa under which it operates.
The worldwide Anglican Communion is split in the middle on the election and consecration of an openly homosexual priest and divorcee, Canon Gene Robinson, to the position of bishop in the diocese of New Hampshire, USA, earlier this month.
One of the more verbal congregations was the Anglican Church in Kenya that pointedly indicated its intention to severe all ties with the world Anglican community over the matter.
"The Diocese of New Hampshire has stated that Canon Robinson's election was a Spirit-led process based on nearly three decades of ministry in the diocese, his vision and his pastoral skills, with his sexuality being incidental to his call to serve as bishop," read the statement issued on Wednesday.
"But for many parts of the Anglican world his ministry as a bishop is not likely to be recognized or received, as a state of impaired or broken communication could exist due to his confessed sexual orientation and lifestyle."
Bishop Hamupembe told New Era that the church in Southern African arrived at its decision at a provincial synod, the highest decision-making body for the region, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, held last year.
The Bishop also said that it was a matter of interpretation of the Bible, that takes place within the context of "different authors and different times", thus interpretations from subjective environments.
Bishop Hamupembe also stressed that the reaction was mostly directed at an "overtly homosexual lifestyle", as the recently ordained Bishop Robinson is living with a same sex partner, rather than "actual homosexuality". He thus said that the Church did not screen any of its clergymen, and recently accepted clergywomen for their sexual orientation before allowing them to office.
The Anglican Communion consists of a loose federation of 38 churches, each occupying a geographical area known as a province. Within this context, said Bishop Hamupembe, it is important to "respect the autonomy of each Province and respect the integrity of the processes of each Province acting in accordance with their respective canons and constitutions, whether we agree or disagree with their decisions".
He also said that the Communion was known for its diversity. "It is true that there are deep divisions of conviction and understanding amongst its members, particularly on these issues of human sexuality, and the Communion has been hurt and damaged by the events of the past weekend. But this doesn't mean that the damage is irrevocable."
He also said that while issues of great division existed within the federation, it should not divert the attention of the Church away from other more pressing issues, such as the needy and the poor, and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which affects a large proportion of the Anglican Communion.


Local Anglican Church Shuns Gay Bishop

By Catherine Sasman
WINDHOEK

THE Anglican Diocese of Namibia has distanced itself from the consecration of a gay bishop in the United States of America earlier this month.
The Anglican Diocese said this week that the church would not "admit a person living with a same sex partner to the ordained ministry nor does it approve the blessing of a same sex marriage".
A statement issued by Bishop Shihala Hamupembe said Namibia's position was in accordance with the Province of Southern Africa under which it operates.
The worldwide Anglican Communion is split in the middle on the election and consecration of an openly homosexual priest and divorcee, Canon Gene Robinson, to the position of bishop in the diocese of New Hampshire, USA, earlier this month.
One of the more verbal congregations was the Anglican Church in Kenya that pointedly indicated its intention to severe all ties with the world Anglican community over the matter.
"The Diocese of New Hampshire has stated that Canon Robinson's election was a Spirit-led process based on nearly three decades of ministry in the diocese, his vision and his pastoral skills, with his sexuality being incidental to his call to serve as bishop," read the statement issued on Wednesday.
"But for many parts of the Anglican world his ministry as a bishop is not likely to be recognized or received, as a state of impaired or broken communication could exist due to his confessed sexual orientation and lifestyle."
Bishop Hamupembe told New Era that the church in Southern African arrived at its decision at a provincial synod, the highest decision-making body for the region, in Bloemfontein, South Africa, held last year.