Law suits against traditional Anglicans demonic, says Akinola   

Washington, Feb. 11, 2010 (NAN) Archbishop Peter Akinola, the outgoing Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has described as ``demonic'', the myriad of ongoing lawsuits instituted against orthodox Anglicans in North America.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Washington D.C., Akinola said the intention of the lawsuits was to stifle and annihilate the growth of the Church in the U.S.

NAN reports that the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a missionary initiative of the Church of Nigeria, was established in 2005 to cater for Christians opposed to same-sex teachings.

The convocation, which disassociates itself from the U.S. Episcopal Church, says it has grown to about 95 congregations since its formation.

Akinola noted that the growth had not been without serious challenges.

According to him, the mainstream U.S. Episcopal Church had filed multi-million dollar suits over ownership of church property.

``It is (the law suits) a major challenge. It is not CANA going to court; it is the demonic powers in the so-called Episcopal Church that are suing CANA churches.

``They are fighting us with everything they have with the hope of crushing us.

``It is so ungodly, so demonic and they are determined to completely wipe us out and this is costing millions of dollars.

``Money that could have been used in more positive work of the gospel, is now being used for legal battle; it's so sad,'' he said.

The Nigerian Anglican leader, who in 2006, consecrated a former Episcopal Church priest Martyn Minns, as bishop of CANA, said some of the legal battles had been decided in favour of CANA and some against it.

``Where we have lost, our people have braced up to say that they will not bow down to Baal and they will not on the account of money go and do what is not right.'' he said.

Akinola, who was in the U.S. for a farewell luncheon organised in his honour by CANA, also spoke on what he plans to do after retirement on March 25.

``Peter Akinola has been able to live a very active life and at the age of 66, it is not possible for him to go and sit down.

``With the help of parents, we have been able to incorporate Peter Akinola Foundation (PAF) which has five broad initiatives.

``Four are written down and one is kept in the mind.

`` The four that are written down have to do with youth empowerment, mission and evangelism, standing-in-the-gap (a programme for lukewarm members of the church) and the fourth one is continental- a concern to deal with African unity and economic empowerment,'' he said.

He said that the N300 million Foundation would also initiate a programme to spur Christian leaders particularly those in Africa, to ``wake-up'' to their leadership roles and responsibilities. (ENDS)

Battle against unscriptural practices not over, says Akinola

Washington, Feb. 11, 2010 (NAN) Archbishop Peter Akinola, the outgoing Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), says the ongoing battle against unscriptural practices in the ``Church of God'' will continue after his retirement on March 25.

At a valedictory luncheon in Washington D.C, organised by the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), Akinola urged evangelicals in the Church to continue to stand firm against ``huge problems confronting the Church.''

``The problems that led to the forming of CANA are still very much with us; the battle is not over yet.

``Akinola is going to step down from this office but you dare not step down from this struggle.

``The schools which our children attend are filled teachers who are promoting this same evil agenda,'' he said.   

The cleric described as very fascinating the ``story of CANA'', which was established as a spiritual harbour for Christians opposed to liberal teachings of the US Episcopal Church.

``It was originally meant to be a church that will be a home for Nigerian Anglicans in this country.

`` We said we will not allow them to go to drift to some other churches, that was the initial plan.

``But in God's providence, that little effort has resulted in this mighty tree called CANA and in that I rejoice,'' he said.

Akinola insisted that he was not ``retiring from preaching the gospel of Christ, saying `` I am transiting to another phase of work.''

The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in spite of heavy snowstorms in Washington D.C on Wednesday, the organisers of the event braced the odds to organise the momentous event.

The occasion was laden with tributes from friends, priests, parishioners and Church leaders who lauded the visionary leadership of the 66-year old cleric.

Bishop Martyn Minns of CANA recounted Akinola's humble beginning from a poor home and his growing into a ``man with great passion for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.''

``A man who is determined to be obedient to the word of God, who sees no problems but opportunities,'' Minns, who was consecrated the first bishop of CANA in August 2006 in Abuja said of Akinola.

Mr Abraham Yisa , the Registrar of the Church and Chairman, Board of Trustees of CANA, thanked Akinola for his selfless service and jovially invited him to `` please apply for the position of a parish priest in CANA after retirement.''

Emmanuel Kampouris, the publisher of Kairos, a Christian journal, said owing to Akinola's commitment to the Holy Bible he had spoken at various events in the world ``telling the hard truth in love and encouraging those facing fiery trials.''

He commended his great courage, saying `` he is a Man who fears only God and we thank God for that.''
 
Akinola will be retiring as Bishop of Abuja diocese, Archbishop of Abuja and Primate of Nigeria, a position he held for a decade.

The Primate-elect, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh is currently the Chairman, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC). (NAN) ENDS

Cabinet reshuffle: Akinola welcomes changes with caution   

Washington, Feb. 11, 2010 (NAN) The outgoing Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Peter Akinola, has welcomed the minor cabinet changes by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Washington, Akinola however, said that the country's problems were far from being over.

He noted that the absence of President Umaru Yar' Adua resulted to a ``huge leadership vacuum in the country'', which the Federal Executive Council (FEC) ``could not explain.''

``Honestly, Nigeria's problems have defied analysis, sometimes it is so difficult to say what the problem is. 

``How can an Attorney-General of a Federation (Michael Aondoakaa) come out to say that the President can govern from anywhere in the world,'' Akinola asked?

Aondoakaa was reported to have argued that Yar'Adua could rule from anywhere as his continued stay in a Saudi Arabia hospital where he is receiving treatment generated a lot of concern.

Criticising the statement, Akinola asked:``Where is that in the constitution and whose interest is he (Aondoakaa) serving.''

NAN reports that Akinola and some other Church officials from Nigeria are in the U.S for a farewell event organised in his honour by the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA).

Commenting on the resolution by the National Assembly empowering Jonathan as Acting president, the Archbishop of Kwara Province, Rt Rev. Michael Akinyemi said that even though the decision came at the nick of time, it should have been ``done constitutionally''.

``We are aware that our president is ill. The procedure of bringing in the deputy (as acting President) has to be constitutional, otherwise we may go in for another trouble,'' he said.

On the cabinet reshuffle involving the Ministers of Justice, Labour and Productivity as well as Special Duties, Akinyemi said: ``the Acting President as a leader is free to make a choice.''

``It is better to bring those who will help you than those who will hinder your moving forward.''

NAN recalls that Jonathan had on Wednesday, Feb. 10, re-deployed Aondoakaa from the position of Attorney General and Minister of Justice to that of Minister of Special Duties.

Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), who was the Minister of Labour and Productivity, replaced Aondoakaa while the former the Minister of Special Duties, Amb. Ibrahim Kazaure, was moved to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity. (NAN)

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