American Anglicans Show Solidarity with Persecuted Nigerian Christians

on May 6, 2014

A resolution expressing support for Christians in Nigeria, under siege by the Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram, passed unanimously at the Annual Synod of the Missionary Diocese of CANA East on Saturday, May 3, 2014, in Wayne, PA.  The Synod was the second annual gathering of the diocese, one of four missionary dioceses in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) led by Missionary Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Julian M. Dobbs.

Thousands of Nigerian Christians, including Anglicans, have been killed or injured by Boko Haram, which was finally designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S. State Department last November. The radical Islamist group seeks the eradication of Christians and the total Islamization of Nigeria.

Boko Haram’s latest and possibly most despicable action was to abduct (new estimation) 276 school girls, mostly Christians, from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, northeast Nigeria, on April 14. Reports indicate that the militants are selling these teenage girls and otherwise enslaving them. The abductions followed a declaration by Boko Haram leader, Abubaker Shekau, made just weeks before that “in Islam, it is allowed to take infidel women as slaves and in due course we will start taking women away and sell in the market.” Prayer at the CANA East Synod focused on this tragic event.

This resolution showing solidarity with persecuted Nigerian Christians has a special poignancy because the Diocese of CANA East is a missionary diocese of the Anglican Church of Nigeria and many of its members are Nigerian Americans. And for disenfranchised former members of the Episcopal Church in the United States, such shows of solidarity might be considered a demonstration of gratitude to the Church of Nigeria that offered them a home.

Here is the complete text of the resolution, Prayers for the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion):

BE IT RESOLVED, that this Synod hereby expresses its profound gratitude to the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its generosity to and support of Anglicans in North America.

Be it further RESOLVED, that this Synod expresses its support for Christians and everyone whose life and livelihood have been or are being devastated by the attacks of the Boko Haram in Nigeria.

We hereby call on all levels of government in Nigeria to protect its citizens, especially Christians, from the wanton destruction of human life, church property, and personal property perpetrated by radical Islamic elements.

Our sincere prayers are with the citizens of Nigeria, especially the Christian community. May Almighty God defend and provide for His people for Christ’s sake.

  1. Comment by Grant LeMarquand on May 6, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Thank you for continuing to draw attention to this and (sadly) so many other cases of persecution!
    +Grant

  2. Comment by Faith McDonnell on May 6, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    We have to, +Grant. It is our Biblical mandate. Thank YOU for your encouragement to us, and to Christ’s followers in the Horn of Africa. BTW, I am very proud that 43 American Anglican bishops have taken a stand w/ the Congressional Middle East minorities caucus against persecution. More later!

  3. Comment by Rev. Chibueze Emmanuel on May 7, 2014 at 3:31 am

    Thanks a lot my Lord Bishop for your concern and prayers. Pls continue with us as we call upon God Almighty to make name for Himself. I am persuaded that this is a ‘Battle of the Gods’ and our God will show Himself mighty indeed. 1 Kings 18:21-40.

  4. Comment by Faith McDonnell on May 7, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    Amen, Rev. Emmanuel! God bless, Faith

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