British Anglican Bishop Appointment in Malawi Delayed in Gay Rights Concerns

The scheduled appointment to confirm liberal British vicar Nicholas Henderson as one of three Anglican bishops in Malawi, has been delayed on Wednesday due to the challenge filed by the conservative Anglicans in Malawi. Conservatives in the country have widely disapproved of Henderson’s election, due to his support of gay rights which go out of step with Malawian values.

"The wrangle has caused me so much pain and I want it resolved later when things cool down," Archbishop Bernard Malango of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian told Reuters. .

Malango postponed the meeting of the Court of Confirmation set for 3 September because of the growing tension in the church on the issue. A new date is scheduled to be set.

Conservative Malawi Anglicans have hired a lawyer, Steve Kafumba, who said that a formal challenge has been filed to the appointment with the archbishop’s office.

"Some church leaders and priests within the diocese want to stop the appointment of Henderson because one of the issues is his open support for the gay movement in the church," Kafumba said.

It is the first time the election of a bishop has caused the Anglican Church in Malawi to split.

Henderson was elected as bishop to Anglican Lake Malawi diocese in the conservative African nation on 29 July. He is a former chairman of the theologically liberal and pro-gay Modern Church People’s Union in Britain. Nearly two million members and three dioceses belong to the Anglican Church in Malawi.

Supporters for Henderson argued that his post as bishop would help raise international funds for the Church. His current position as a vicar in London allowed him to raise similar funds for some time.

However, challengers argued that Henderson’s views were “taboo” and that he should be ruled out as bishop especially because of his support for homosexuality.

But some Anglican priests say Henderson’s liberal values are the key to the church’s survival in Africa.

"The endorsement of Bishop Henderson would destroy the church in Africa and Malawi in particular because of our very conservative and cultural beliefs that consider gay as taboo," said one anonymous Anglican priest to Reuters.

Church leaders in Africa have outspokenly argued against other Anglican groups’ moves on issues such as recognising gay rights. Since the appointment of gay Bishop Gene Robinson in U.S. and Canada’s decision to bless same-sex unions, the Anglican Church fears that a schism could result in one of the largest Church bodies in the world.