I myself are not that religious, but I do believe in freedom of speech.
As schism has spread through the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, fueled by foreign archbishops and right-wing think tanks, I have watched in growing alarm as the Anglican Church of Nigeria has pressured the government to pass the most sweeping anti-Gay bill in the world, aimed at silencing Davis Mac-Iyalla, director of Changing Attitude-Nigeria, a support group for Gay and Lesbian Anglicans.
Davis has been falsely arrested after printed materials were found in his car, beaten and held for days. He’s received death threats and been forced to flee his home. The Rev. Atunde Popoola, canon for communication for the Archbishop of Abuja, has hounded Davis, denied he exists, denied he’s an Anglican, accused him of crimes, and blogged on numerous Anglican websites denouncing him.
This is a pack of lies. I have heard of Davis’s Church membership card, photos of his first communion and his licensing as a lay-reader. He was even knighted by the late Bishop of Otupko. (Knighting is an honor given to laypeople in the Nigerian Church.) When that bishop died, Davis was fired as principal of a Church-run school, because he’s Gay.
I have also heard the death threat delivered to his door last December. Even though he is in hiding and never published his whereabouts, the thugs found him.
The same Anglican Church of Nigeria is trying to destroy the Episcopal Church in the United States, by stealing conservative parishes, providing “alternative episcopal oversight” and thus hoping to circumvent state and church laws that declare our parishes are held in trust by our diocesan bishops.
My best friend Josh is now gathering funds to shelter Davis from danger and bring him to the U.S.
As from May 16 he will tour the USA, where he has accepted an invitation to address the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church June 11-14 on the violence promoted by the Church of Nigeria.
We need your help and prayers to bring this plan to fruition.
WE NEED YOUR DONATIONS !
Please, support my friend Josh, any donation will do! Visit The Daily Office and use your credit card at Amazon Honor System
Text by the photo:
Davis Mac-Iyalla addresses the first meeting of Changing Attitude-Nigeria, the support group of LGBT Anglicans, on November 26, 2005. He has been targeted by the Anglican Church and the Nigerian government ever since, including Church-based smear campaigns, death threats and a bill in Parliament to deny LGBT people the right to gather, speak, publish, visit a website or associate with each other, punishable by five years’ imprisonment.
Filed under: Freedom of Speech, Gay, LGBT
It is a shame but supression and hatred comes in all forms and cultures, from bigoted, small minded people. You for making this known, your friend for his efforts in raising money are some of the things that can and do make a difference in this world.
Thanks Stephen, together we can make a difference
PS