Western churches' liberal agenda is a 'new form of colonisation', say critics

London, Aug.2 : Anglican leaders from Africa say the actions of American and Canadian churches in electing an openly gay bishop and blessing same-sex unions suggests the promotion of a "new form of colonisation" in the developing world, leaving the former open to ridicule back at home.

They also claimed that the latter's modernising moves have led to "sexual licence".

"While there is a desire to end the spiral of chaos around this issue, there appears to be no desire to be so decisive at this stage that anyone would want to walk away," the critics said.

A draft document of the "reflections" of the 670 Anglican bishops gathered in Canterbury for the Lambeth Conference discloses that some American bishops have apologised for consecrating Gene Robinson, a gay, as the Bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

The bishops state that the ordination of Bishop Robinson took the divisive issue of homosexuality to a "higher plane" and there is an "inevitable anxiety" that another gay priest will become a bishop.

The bishops are now discussing a Covenant of guiding principles that bind the Communion together, which the Archbishop of Canterbury believes will help avert schism.

It is feared that by then the Anglican Communion may be greatly reduced from its current 80 million worshippers as orthodox provinces, represented by the GAFCON movement, form their own global network while more conservative American bishops desert their parent church.

ANI