Recent criticism has been directed at Archbishop Nicholas Okoh and the Church of Nigeria following the consecration of Mary Glasspool as a bishop in Los Angeles. Nigerian government officials have expressed disapproval of the Anglican Communion’s decision to consecrate a lesbian bishop, arguing that it undermines the moral authority of the Church in Africa and weakens its spiritual and social impact.
Archbishop Okoh, who was installed as Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Communion’s largest province earlier this year, is currently on a national tour, engaging with diocesan leaders and local officials. During a recent meeting in Port Harcourt, a representative of Governor Rotimi Amaechi criticized the Glasspool consecration as a symbol of Western moral decline.
The governor advised Archbishop Okoh, “Primate, you have a lot on your plate; the times are challenging and the issues are complex.” He warned that by adopting what he described as worldly standards and ignoring “moral laxity,” the Church risked losing its prophetic voice.
Since taking office, Archbishop Okoh has been outspoken on several issues. At a recent diocesan synod, he condemned the pervasive corruption in Nigeria, likening the situation to “suicide by instalment.”
Following his meeting with the governor, Archbishop Okoh urged President Goodluck Jonathan to continue with his predecessor’s efforts to address the insurgency in the Niger Delta. He recommended that President Jonathan, a native of the region, advance the amnesty program initiated by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua to bring about a resolution to the conflict.
“A Niger Delta son is now in charge, and it is fitting that he carries through the amnesty program to its full conclusion,” Archbishop Okoh stated on May 31.
The Archbishop also called on Anglicans to actively participate in the 2011 General Elections, emphasizing the need for “free and fair” elections to avoid international ridicule. He highlighted the importance of establishing a credible government at all levels of Nigerian society.
Last week in Lagos, Archbishop Okoh urged Nigerian church leaders to defend the nation’s emerging democracy against both internal and external threats. He criticized the push by some United Nations agencies to normalize homosexuality, describing it as an affront to Nigerian democracy. Speaking at Christ Church Cathedral on Lagos Island, he suggested that if the UN were to promote homosexuality globally, Nigeria should consider withdrawing from the organization.
“The UN has no right to impose moral standards on us,” he asserted. “We must stand firm and not be swayed by Western influences.”
Archbishop Okoh labeled the promotion of homosexuality in Africa as both un-Biblical and un-African, viewing it as part of a broader rebellion against divine principles in a fallen world.