Silas Nthiga
22 May 2006
Nairobi — An Anglican bishop said to be the patron of a gay and lesbian lobby group yesterday denied the claim.
The Right Rev John Gladwin, the head of Chelmsford diocese in England, said he was a staunch Anglican but refused to say whether he supported gay and lesbian relationships.
The Bishop said he had come to Kenya for a noble mission.
Speaking in Embu Town, the Bishop denied press reports that he was the leader of any gay and lesbian club.
However, he said, he supported the controversial debate within the church.
"My diocese is like any other Christian group and has a range of opinions on this question. We encourage that debate because it is important that we listen to each other so that we learn from the Bible together to understand what our faith in Jesus Christ means," he said.
The clergyman is heading a 21-man delegation from Chelmsford Diocese on a two weeks visit to the country. He has come to explore partnership with former Mount Kenya East diocese, which has been split into Embu, Mbeere and Kirinyaga dioceses.
Bishop Gladwin insisted that his mission in the country was purely spiritual and denied press reports that he was in the country for other reasons.
He said he had held discussions with the head of Anglican Church Arch-bishop Benjamin Nzimbi who he said was fully aware of his presence in the country.
"We had a very fruitful discussion and I am very optimistic we shall accomplish our mission in this country peacefully," he said.
Bishop Gladwin's visit is likely to renew the controversy that engulfed the local Anglican Church three years ago when it categorically rejected a move to ordain a gay as a bishop.
Bishop Gladwin said members of his delegation had visited various parts of Embu, Mbeere and Kirinyaga dioceses and were impressed by the progress of the church in the area.
Yesterday, nine members of the delegation attended a church service at Kianjokoma Primary School where Bishop Moses Njue of Embu and Bishop Joseph Kanuku of Machakos were the preachers.
Bishop Njue introduced the delegation to worshippers who included Cabinet ministers Martha Karua and Peter Ndwiga.
Talking to the Press later, Bishop Njue said he was not aware that his visitors supported gay relationships.
He said the church stand on gay relationships was clear and at no time will it support them.
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