Prometheus 6   

Malawi could sever ties over gay bishop

By RAPHAEL TENTHANI, Associated Press Writer, 8/11/2003

i BLANTYRE, Malawi -- Malawi's top Anglican leader said Monday he was considering severing ties between his 600,000-strong flock and the U.S. Episcopal Church if it does not reverse its confirmation of a gay bishop.

Archbishop Bernard Malango, who heads the church in Malawi, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, said his members refused to support "the odd and unnatural" decision by the American branch of the Anglican church to confirm Bishop-elect V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay cleric.

"We can't support Canon Robinson's election because it is not compatible with our tradition and faith, and if they insist on having him as bishop, we will cut ourselves away from the operation of the U.S. church," he told The Associated Press.

…Anglican bishops in Africa, Asia and Latin America condemned the vote, with some threatening to sever ties with the U.S. church.

…Malango said a crisis meeting of 12 African bishops is scheduled for Nairobi, Kenya, next month.