Bishop Ssenyonjo invited to Lambeth

Sunday, 6th July, 2008

By Ann Mugisa and Conan Businge

EXCOMUNICATED pro-gay bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo of the Church of Uganda has been invited to the Lambeth Conference, scheduled for Canterbury, England from July 20 to August 4.

Ssenyonjo said he had confirmed attendance.

However, his counterparts in the Anglican Church of Uganda are boycotting the conference.

The bishops took the decision following the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) meeting in Jerusalem, Israel, last month.

GAFCON, which opposes gay marriages, is a break-away from the authority of Canterbury.

But in a contrary incident yesterday, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office released a statement noting that a pro-gay bishop, the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, was not welcome to the conference.

Robinson was appointed bishop of New Hampshire in 2003, sparking controversy in the Anglican Church.

The Lambeth Conference takes place every 10 years at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is the one occasion when all bishops meet for worship, study and discussions.

In 2002, Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo (now retired) defrocked Ssenyonjo because of his support for homosexuality.

Ssenyonjo, formerly the bishop of West Buganda Diocese, in 2004 formed a new denomination called the Charismatic Church of Uganda and was consecrated bishop.

In 2004, Archbishop Luke Orombi wrote to Ssenyonjo informing him that he was “no longer entitled to wear the robes of a deacon, priest, or bishop in the Church of Uganda.”

He was later excommunicated.

I know he was defrocked, but am not sure about 'excommunicated'. And it is very interesting, a defrocked bishop from the church of Uganda is attending Lambeth when the others are not! Chaos. But I love the old gentleman's courage.