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Bishop Ssenyonjo invited to
Lambeth
06 July 2008- Kampala, Uganda-
Excommunicated 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.”
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