Key bishop rejects Episcopal gay policy

Akinola also said in a telephone interview that unless conditions change, he will not attend meetings alongside the leader of the Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, or attend the 2008 meeting of the world's Anglican bishops if the US hierarchy participates.

Akinola leads Nigeria's Anglican church, with its 17.5 million members, and the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, where half the world's 77 million Anglicans live. He is also spokesman for "Global South" archbishops who have severed normal ties with the Episcopal Church.

Episcopal Church spokesman Daniel England said yesterday that Griswold understands that Akinola has strong feelings on the issue.

"I'm sure the presiding bishop will be disappointed if the archbishop cannot join him at the communion table," he said.

Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town has criticized Akinola's strong stand against the US church. But the archbishops announced jointly March 29 that they agree with the stand against gay clergy and blessing of same-sex couples taken by the world's bishops at their 1998 meeting.

The dispute became a world issue when the US church approved an openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.

Akinola underscored his support of the conservative minority over the weekend when he met in Atlanta with leaders from the two main US organizations that oppose toleration of homosexual activity: the American Anglican Council and the recently formed Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes.

The Episcopal Church "is trying to redefine Christianity and rewrite Scripture," Akinola said.