Nigerians Elect New Anglican Primate

Religion News Service reports that a retired Army lieutenant colonel-turned-priest has been elected the new primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, one of the largest provinces in the Anglican Communion. The Rev. Nicholas Orogbodo Okoh, 57, will lead Nigeria's 20 million Anglicans following next year's retirement ofArchbishop Peter Akinola, who has been one of the most outspoken critics of the Episcopal Church's acceptance of homosexuality. Okoh was elected on Tuesday (Sept. 15) by the country's Anglican bishops, and is expected to follow Akinola's strong opposition to the ordination of women and homosexuals. "I am grateful to God and to the Church of Nigeria, particularly our laymen, clergy andHouse of Bishops, for thinking that I can do it,"Okoh said in his acceptance speech. "It is a lot of confidence reposed in me, and I pray to God not to allow me to fail."