According to the commentariat the General Synod of the Church of England is obsessing about women bishops today. The twitter sphere is buzzing with it. A bit disappointing, then, that the day begins with a ‘debate’ about the plight of Christians in Nigeria. Or… about time we got some proportion into the significance of what preoccupies us (the Synod as well as the commentators)?
The new Bishop of Durham reported from a recent visit tomNigeria on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He described the situation of the church in northern Nigeria as “systematically, deliberately and progressively being eliminated”. He explored political, economic and religious developments there and reminded us of the complexity of such realities. The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of “the threatened disintegration of a society under pressure from Boko Haram, one of the most extreme organisations in the world”.
The importance of this debate this morning is that it exemplifies again the vital nature of the Anglican Communion. The Archbishop of York expressed the essential solidarity within the community – emphasising, as did others, that this is not just about us defending other Christians, but defending all people and minorities in Nigeria – by stating that whatever happens to ‘them’ happens to ‘us’. Hence, our prayers, support, advocacy and encouragement to politicians to use their weight in addressing this disastrous situation.
Several speakers in the debate related stories of how diocesan link relationships demonstrate their real value at times like this. Real people meet real people… on the ground… unalloyed by spin or selective reporting.
This is the heart of the Anglican Communion beating strongly: not about issues, but about fellowship in Christ, rooted in a common humanity under God, unafraid to speak truth to power.
Now back to women bishops…
February 8, 2012 at 2:35 pm
[…] Baines has blogged profoundly about Nigeria here – Im sorry I wasn’t […]
February 8, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Yes… but as a commentator posted on Thinking Anglicans:
“But the Archbishops have fundamentally misunderstood the situation in Nigeria if they think it is simply a matter of Muslims v. Christians. Boko Haram is an insurgent militant movement in Northern Nigeria, and its main targets are not churches but government institutions such as post offices and police stations. The vast majority of the victims of BH attacks are Muslims, and the group’s aim is not to kill Christians but to make Northern Nigeria ungovernable.”
As someone who cringes every time we pray for Christians around the world before we pray for anyone else in the world, I hope the church will not get bogged down in turning this into a Christians vs Muslims issue that will stoke the firest of the latent anti-Islamism in this country.
February 8, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Erika, precisely that point was made by +Durham and other speakers, but I condensed it into my comment about ‘all people’.
February 8, 2012 at 3:59 pm
In that case, apologies. I only read the proposal of the motion a couple of days ago during the emergency debate which read:
“That this Synod, gravely concerned at the desperate plight of Christian communities in parts of Nigeria as described in GS 1861, request the British Government to do all it can to support those in Nigeria seeking to protect religious minorities of all faiths and enable them to practise their religion without fear.”
February 8, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Erika, I would have put that clause after the second clause for the reason you state. However, to propose that would simply, in the context of the debate, have been an unnecessary procedural distraction.
February 8, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Nothing at all about this on the 1pm BBC 1 News.
So sad that these important moral issues get bypassed by the media.
February 9, 2012 at 6:36 am
Thank you for this. It is part of the church being distinctive that the media only heard what it wants to hear. But we must keep on explaining, which this blog does well.
February 9, 2012 at 9:27 am
Another literally Vital post, Nick. Thank you
In amongst all that we are told, from within and without, the church is focussed on, the Anglican Communion has a Life which is greater and far more signifIcant than debates over, and reporting on Covenant etc. suggest.
If we need a Covenant I think it would be far more efficacious to insist that Synods sat through lengthy debates about Nigeria, Sudan and other examples of our fellow rejoicing/suffering for the Gospel of Life before any ‘navel gazing’ debates. I think that they might thus be thrown into the stark and shameful relief they deserve
Rant over !! :)
Blessings in you all
February 9, 2012 at 8:15 pm
The situation in Nigeria certainly puts our problems in England in perspective. It would be a pity, though, if, in comparison, the Women Bishops debate was represented as a distraction from the real mission of the church. (I’m sure that you, Nick, would not regard it as such, although the debates must seem interminable). For many of us, the lifting of the block to women becoming bishops would be a huge boost to the mission and credibility of the church, in removing a long standing wrong. Concern for gross injustices abroad need not detract from concern for injustices nearer to home.