In the 1980s, I went to a country in Africa on a Partners-in-Mission
consultation for the Episcopal Church. We spent several weeks visiting the churches of
that country. It was a life-changing experience for me (to this day our kids
roll their eyes when I say - don't let all that good clean water run down the
drain) - the hospitality and welcome of our brothers and sisters in faith was
astounding. So I think about Africa when making decisions here in the US. I
think about how our governmental policies play out in that country in economics
and health. And I remember the day when a woman from England, who had worked
in Africa and spoke Swahili, and I were sitting out in the yard while the women
cooked. The men spoke English but the women did not get as much schooling in
English so spoke more freely in Swahili. The official line of the male
clerics and leaders was that the "women did not want women priests." If we had
not had the ability to speak with the women and spend time with them we would
never had heard from them that they did want women priests. So when I hear the
pronouncements from the leadership of certain African leaders - I remember
that day and others like it. And when I hear that Christians are in danger
from their Muslim countrymen for our stand - I think how much more more in danger
are the gays and lesbians. It is a fearful time and I pray that no one will
be in danger or lose his or her life for any reason. But I also know that
there are as many opinions in Africa as there are in the Episcopal Church.
ANN



Ann Fontaine
Lander, Wyoming
- posted by Bob @ 6:57 AM