Bishop Okpala Speaks Tough On Same Sex Marriage , Boes USA

                                      

The Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Bishop Godwin Okpala (OON) yesterday lambasted  the United States of America,(USA), Canada and other European countries over their negative reaction to Nigeria’s promulgation of anti same sex law.

Okpala who spoke at the Bishop's Court, Nnewi said that the outburst of these foreign nations without taking cognizance of Nigeria’s cherished moral, religious and cultural idiosyncrasies, was unfortunate.

He said their actions betrayed their lack of respect for Nigeria and other developing nations' sovereignty and independence and therefore warned that international relationship, interdependence and consultation do not mean loss of sovereignty or invitation to unbridled external influence whatsoever.

Bishop Okpala noted that all Nigerians were united on the law against homosexuals because such negative behaviour is against the two dominant religions in Nigeria and that same sex relationship is also against the nation's intrinsic culture and negates reason and all known logic, wondering if they had ever consulted Nigeria in anything before taking actions.

The cleric said that USA and her allies' threat to stop their support to the country in the war against malaria and HIV/AIDS should not bother President Goodluck Jonathan, stressing that the country is rich enough to take care of her domestic needs. He wondered their sincerity in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS while closing eyes on ways of its spread and easy contact

 He recounted that the church led by the Anglican Bishops long ago in 1998 voted against same sex marriage and that the communion with them in USA stopped when an homosexual was ordained priest in USA.

He commended Jonathan, members of the National Assembly and indeed all Nigerians for taking the same sex marriage law initiative. He described it as a very popular law.

The bishop used the opportunity to correct what he saw as an erroneous impression that the church originated from the West. According to him, Africa indeed received Christianity before the West and that Africa still have the responsibility of evangelizing them because they have lost it.

On the proposed national dialogue, Bishop Okpala said there was the need to allow the people freely discuss all the issues bothering the nation. He want the outcome to be assessed vide a referendum.

He urged all citizens to pray relentlessly for our leaders, especially Jonathan in his efforts to re-introduce morality and sanity into the polity