African churches protest same-sex unions

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 11 (UPI) -- Anglican bishops from Kenya and four other African countries say they will boycott their church's biggest meeting over same-sex relationships.

The church's top decision-making organ, the synod, which brings together the clergy, laity and bishops from 39 sees every 10 years, said Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Nigeria also will not attend the Lambeth Conference that opens Wednesday in London.

Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi, speaking to reporters in Nairobi, said other dioceses and provinces from the West also will skip the conference over the gay issue, the Nation reported.

"We want to pass a message that we stand for Anglican ideals by not attending the Lambeth conference," Nzimbi said. "During the last meeting, we resolved that marriage is between man and woman. Some provinces have neglected this and even consecrated a gay bishop."

The Anglican church boasts a membership of 77 million worldwide but the same-sex issue has threatened a split.