NEW YORK — A wealthy Episcopal church on Wall Street said it will continue to fund development projects in Africa despite deep disagreements between the two continents on homosexuality.
The historic Trinity Church, founded in 1697, distributed $2.23 million in grants last year, including more than $848,000 to Anglican churches in Africa. The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion. James Callaway, director of Trinity’s grants program, told the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa that money would continue, even though many African church leaders have rebuked the U.S. church for approving an openly gay bishop. The Council’s new chairman, Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria, has called the election of Bishop-elect Gene Robinson “a satanic attack upon God’s church.”
“We do not believe we have to see eye to eye with you on every issue to work with you around common missions concerns,” Callaway said. “More concisely stated: You don’t have to agree with us to be eligible for a Trinity grant. This has been our policy in the past, it is our policy now, and it will remain our policy.” Callaway said theological differences would not stop the flow of money, but said Anglican churches must not intervene in the internal authority and discipline of other provinces.
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