request for sermon by gay rights bishop turned down

Source: Andnetwork

May 26, 2006: A request by visiting Anglican bishop John Gladwin, a supporter of gay rights, to address worshippers this Sunday has been turned down. 
 
The change of heart on the part of the church administration follows a decision by Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi to cut links with the Rt Rev Gladwin, bishop of the diocese of Chelmsford in England.

A source at Nairobi's All Saints Cathedral, where the bishop wanted to speak, said: "Following the position taken by His Grace and the church, the decision to have Bishop Gladwin speak has been reversed. 

As you might know, the archbishop gives the general direction the 29 dioceses, 34 bishops and 4.5 million Anglicans take although there is a synod, which is the congregation of bishops.  

Tour of four sees

The source said that Bishop Gladwin was touring the four sees carved out of what was formerly Mt Kenya East diocese, in his capacity as the chairman of an NGO that is financing projects in the area.

However, at Archbishop Nzimbi's office, a staff member told the Nation that Bishop Gladwin had requested an opportunity to deliver sermons at the church but had been turned down "because by the time they requested, our programme was full."

The Nation could reach neither Archbishop Nzimbi, who was said to be attending to official matters out of the office, nor Provost Peter Karanja, in charge of the All Saints Cathedral programme.

Bishop Gladwin's visit has sparked controversy after disclosure that he openly supports homosexuals and lesbians and is the patron of Changing Attitude, the campaign group working for gay and lesbian accommodation in the Anglican Church in England.