Nairobi — Anglicans in Kenya yesterday threatened to sever links with an American diocese that has elected a practising homosexual as its bishop.

Church leaders condemned the Americans' decision, saying homosexuality was unacceptable.

Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi, head of the Anglican Church of Kenya, and all his 29 bishops described the election of Canon Gene Robinson of New Hampshire as "contrary to the clear teachings of the scripture".

He added: "Any Anglican diocese that resolves and sanctions to bless same sex marriages has, as a result, kicked itself out of the Anglican communion.

"We wish to state in clear terms that we will consider breaking up our partnership with any such diocese that makes deacons, ordains priests or consecrates bishops who have practised or continue to practise gay relationships."

His statement continued: "We greatly regret the vote. It ignores the mind of the Anglican Communion as set out in the Lambeth Conference of 1998 and is contrary to the clear teachings of the Holy Scriptures and the Anglican formularies about marriage." Archbishop Nzimbi issued the statement in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he is attending a conference.

The Lambeth Conference condemned homosexuality, stating that heterosexuality was the only relationship sanctioned and recognised by the church.

Archbishop Nzimbi concluded: "If the Reverend Robinson is consecrated, it will cause distress not only in North America but across the Anglican family worldwide who have no wish to see the Episcopal Church of the USA taken outside the communion."

There are an estimated 3.5 million Anglicans in Kenya and it is one of the Church's 38 provinces that makes up the 70 million member global communion whose seat is the See of Canterbury, headed by Archbishop Rowan Williams.

Archbishop Williams voiced fears of an "irrevocable" fall-out from the decision to install an openly homosexual bishop.

"Difficult days lie ahead for the Anglican Church after the decision of the Episcopal Church of the United States to confirm the election of Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire," the Archbishop said in a statement.

"It is my hope that the church in America and the rest of the Anglican Communion will have the opportunity to consider this development before significant and irrevocable decisions are made in response," he added..

From the North Rift, ACK bishops Stephen Kewasis (Kitale) and Thomas Kogo (Eldoret) denounced Canon Robinson's election.

"We were in London in 1998 and we opposed the move. Our stand still stands as this is un-Biblical and is bound to split the church," Bishop Kogo said.

In Eldoret, the move was termed unbiblical by the Rev Dr Peter Bissem of the Reformed Church of East Africa, the former deputy secretary general of the National Council of Churches of Kenya.

In Nyeri, the election was termed "abominable". Catholic Bishop John Njue, who said he was giving his personal comments on the matter, said homosexuality was ungodly.

Mombasa Anglican Bishop Julius Kalu said his church was ready to break away from the mother church in England, should it recognise the rights of homosexuals.

In Uganda, Anglican spokesman Jackson Turyagyenda said the church was "very disappointed".

Asian religious leaders worldwide also condemned yesterday's appointment and warned that regional Anglican bishops might consider cutting ties with the American church.

Reports by Mugumo Munene, Lucas Barasa, Philip Mwaniki, George Munene and Eunice Machuhi