Malawi Anglicans nix bishop over gay links: Consecration of Nicholas Henderson rejected

The Anglican church in Central Africa has rejected the consecration of British priest Nicholas Henderson as bishop of the diocese of Lake Malawi because of his involvement with a group seen as supporting homosexual clergy.

A statement from the Central Africa church in Blantyre, Malawi, said the bishop had been rejected by its court of confirmation “because of lack of sound faith.”

Henderson is currently a priest in two London parishes that have built up strong ties with the Anglican church in Malawi. From 1991 to 2002 he was general secretary of the Modern Churchpeople’s Union, which describes itself as an Anglican society promoting liberal theology.

Earlier this year the group compiled a book in which strong support was given to the 2003 election of openly gay V. Gene Robinson as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire.

Henderson, elected in July, was to have been consecrated on October 29, but the ceremony was postponed due to objections. –Ecumenical News International