Nigerian archbishop upset over accusation

ABUJA, Nigeria — An Anglican archbishop from Nigeria is vehemently denying an allegation that African church leaders have been offered money to distance themselves from more liberal churches in the United States and Canada.

Such “irresponsible accusations” are “outrageous, uncharitable and untrue,” said Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola in an open letter. Akinola referred to remarks attributed to Irish Archbishop Robin Eames during a recent visit to the United States, where the issue of homosexuality has divided the Episcopal Church and caused a rift within the worldwide Anglican Communion.

According to a press release issued by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, Eames said in an interview that he was “quite certain” many church leaders in the developing world had been offered financial inducements to distance themselves from U.S. and Canadian churches.