Connect with us

Headline

Same-sex Marriage: US-based Nigerian Anglican Bishop, Canterbury Archbishop Disagree

Published

on

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the West and Coordinating Bishop of the Church of Nigeria North American Mission, Bishop Felix Orji, has disagreed with the position of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Justin Welby, on permitting same-sex marriage in the Church, stating that the Archbishop’s “statement is useless for use by conservatives in the Anglican Communion.”

Maintaining that the Bible clearly teaches that marriage is for one man and one woman, Orji stated that the confusion that Welby’s position brings to the Church is as a result of “refusing to follow the clear teaching of Scripture on this issue of human sexuality and marriage.”

Orji stated, “This statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury on Lambeth 1:10 is a classic example of a non-committal affirmation of the validity (read EXISTENCE) thereof. It is intentionally ambiguous so that his statement is useless for use by conservatives in the Anglican Communion.

“So, based on what he has written, Archbishop Welby is not really committed to Lambeth 1:10 and he believes that the orthodox stance of Lambeth 1:10 on sex and marriage is injurious to the unity of the Anglican Communion. Hence his letter is vague and intended to accommodate everyone but ended up obfuscating the truth.

“The Bible is much clearer on the issue — marriage is for one man and one woman and that is the only context for sexual activity. It’s that simple. The confusion and hurt in the Anglican Communion are the results of refusing to follow the clear teaching of Scripture on this issue of human sexuality and marriage.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, had, on Tuesday, written to all of the bishops of the Anglican Communion ahead of the Lambeth Conference.

READ ALSO: Outrage As Pope Backs Same-sex Civil Unions

In his letter, Welby had stressed that “‘all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation are full members of the Body of Christ’ and to be welcomed, cared for, and treated with respect,” quoting Lambeth 1:10.

The letter read: “Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

“Lambeth Conference 2022: God’s Church for God’s World – Listening, walking, and witnessing together

“As the Lambeth Conference continues, I give thanks to God for our time together, online and in person, and I express again my sadness that not all Anglican Bishops and spouses are participating. Above all, I feel this gathering is affirming that we belong to one another in Jesus Christ and that as Anglicans we are called to share his Good News with a world in need — across a great diversity of cultures and contexts. May God’s Holy Spirit inspire and empower us to share Christ’s love with all those we are called to serve in the challenging years ahead.

“I wanted to write this letter to you now so that I can clarify two matters for all of us. Given the deep differences that exist within the Communion over same-sex marriage and human sexuality, I thought it important to set down what is the case. I write, therefore, to affirm that the validity of the resolution passed at the Lambeth Conference 1998, 1:10 is not in doubt and that the whole resolution is still in existence.

“Indeed, the Call on Human Dignity made clear this is the case, as the resolution is quoted three times in paragraph 2.3 of the Call on Human Dignity.

“The Call states that many Provinces – and I think we need to acknowledge it’s the majority – continue to affirm that same-gender marriage is not permissible. The Call also states that other provinces have blessed and welcomed same-sex union/marriage, after careful theological reflection and a process of reception.

“In that way, the Call states the reality of life in Communion today. There is no mention of sanctions, or exclusion, in 1.10 1998. There is much mention of pastoral care. We have a plurality of views. As Lambeth 1.10 also states: ‘all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation are full members of the Body of Christ’ and to be welcomed, cared for, and treated with respect (I.10, 1998).

“What is also clear is that Lambeth 1.10 itself continues to be a source of pain, anxiety, and contention among us. That has been very clear over the course of this Lambeth Conference. That is also part of the current reality of our Communion. To be reconciled to one another across such divides is not something we can achieve by ourselves. That is why, as we continue to reflect on 1 Peter, I pray that we turn our gaze towards Christ who alone has the power to reconcile us to God and to one another.

READ ALSO: Same Sex: 57 Arrested as Police Declares Others Wanted

“There is of course much more to reflect on after the Conference and I will be writing to you all again after I have had the opportunity to reflect further.

 

“For now, on this matter on which we are so divided, I want to repeat a sentence from the Call: ‘As Bishops, we remain committed to listening and walking together to the maximum possible degree, despite our deep disagreement on these issues.’

“Let us abound in love for all, for our brothers and sisters are never our enemies. Let us above all focus on the great issues – which we discussed with much energy – of being God’s Church for God’s world, serving with humility and grace, and bringing glory to the one who when we were still sinners died for us (Romans 5:8).”

The Lambeth Conference is a gathering of bishops from across the Anglican Communion for prayer and reflection, fellowship and dialogue on church and world affairs. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the convener of the Lambeth Conference 2022.

 

 

Headline

14-year-old Boy Killed In London Sword Attack

Published

on

By

A 14-year-old boy died on Tuesday after a man wielding a sword stabbed the youth, two police officers and two other people, in a street attack in east London, police said.

The man used what appeared to be a Samurai-type sword in the Hainault district shortly before 7:00 am (0600 GMT).

Police said they arrested a 36-year-old man using Taser stun weapons and took him into custody. The incident is not believed to be terror-related, they said.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, from London’s Metropolitan Police, said all five victims were taken to hospital.

READ ALSO: Lawyer Drags NERC, AGF, Minister Of Power To Court Over Electricity Tariff Hike

The two police officers were awaiting surgery for “significant” injuries, he added. But they, and those sustained by the two members of the public, were not believed to be life-threatening.

It’s with great sadness that one of those injured in this incident… has died from their injuries,” he told reporters at the scene.

“He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after.”

King Charles III called the stabbings “horrific” and paid tribute to the “courage” of the emergency services, Buckingham Palace said.

READ ALSO: UK-based Nigerian Doctor Loses Licences Over Sex For Free Botox Injections

“His thoughts and prayers are with all those affected — in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life,” a spokesman said.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the stabbings “shocking”. “Such violence has no place on our streets,” he added in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“I’d like to thank the emergency services for their ongoing response, and pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery shown by police on the scene.”

Video footage and photographs posted on social media appeared to show a man in a yellow jumper on the streets near houses with the weapon.

Emergency service vehicles, including police, fire and ambulances, were seen behind cordons, including near the town’s underground railway station.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Assassinate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Campaign Coordinator In Ondo

Hiding

One resident, who asked not to be named, said she hid behind a window while the suspect was outside her home shouting at police that “do you believe in God?”

We were very scared and trying to hide and not show ourselves through the window because he was standing right next to our house and he could have seen us if he looked up,” she added.

“We were very scared and we didn’t know what to do.”

Another witness said he saw two police chasing the man, shouting at him to put down the weapon.

Police in England, Scotland and Wales are not routinely armed but do carry Taser weapons to disable suspects.

READ ALSO: Delta Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Victims, Arrest Armed Robber Cultist

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “absolutely devastated” by the incident and was in close contact with the city police commissioner.

“The police offices and emergency services showed the best of our city — running towards danger to protect others and I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

Last week, Sunak criticised the mayor’s record on knife crime in the British capital.

According to official statistics, knife crime increased in London by 20 percent in 2023, with 14,577 offences — one percent lower than pre-pandemic levels in the year to March 2020.

In England and Wales as a whole, there was a seven-percent increase in knife crime to 49,489 offences, with most (29 percent) in metropolitan areas, the Official for National Statistics said

AFP

 

Continue Reading

Headline

UK-based Nigerian Doctor Loses Licences Over Sex For Free Botox Injections

Published

on

By

A United Kingdom-based Nigerian doctor, Tijion Esho, has lost his medical licences after being found guilty of giving free Botox injections in return for sex, Telegraph reports.

Esho is known for his medical opinion and commentaries on cosmetic surgery discussions on popular Television programmes, including ITV’s This Morning, BBC’s Morning Live and E4’s Body Fixers.

He was also regularly consulted on Body Fixers for E4, a channel operated by Channel 4, which aired for two seasons in 2016 and 2017 and made appearances on segments of BBC’s Morning Live until the summer of 2022.

Esho is the founder of the Esho Clinic, which also has locations in London, Liverpool, and Dubai and has a host of celebrity clients.

READ ALSO: Scarcity: Lagos Filling Station Under Fire For Forcing Customers To Buy Meat Pie Before Selling Fuel

While appearing before a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service on Monday, he confessed to an improper emotional relationship with the woman, referred to as Patient A, with whom he exchanged “inappropriate” sexual messages on Instagram.

He argued that he never had any physical sexual contact with Patient A, who provided sex services via OnlyFans and webcams.

But, an MPTS panel sitting in Manchester ruled earlier this month that Dr Esho did have sexual intercourse with Patient A at his clinic in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2021 and administered Botox free of charge.

It was reported that the tribunal also ruled that, at a consultation months earlier, he had stroked her hair and rubbed himself against her after he made inappropriate comments about the shape of her bottom.

READ ALSO: How God Saved Me From Firing Squad – Gospel Artiste, Buchi

The tribunal also established that the doctor, last year, made similar remarks to Patient A and allowed her to masturbate him.

Hence, the tribunal found Dr Esho’s fitness to practise was impaired because of his misconduct and the tribunal announced on Saturday that Esho’s name should be removed from the medical register.

The tribunal’s reasons for imposing the sanction will be released next week.

According to the Telegraph, among the “inappropriate” Instagram messages sent to Patient A between July 2019 and February 2022 was an exchange in September 2019 when he said: “What you doing to me lol. Morning Glory. Bloody has me wanting the real thing. That’s like every man’s dream.”

READ ALSO: Currency Manipulation: EFCC Arrests 34 Currency Speculators In Abuja

In November 2019 he posted: “Why you making me bulge lol. Send more, don’t be sorry lol.”

The following month, he wrote, “Lol loving the tongue” and “Ha free mls [millilitres of botox] I’d need the whole booty and more”.

Weeks later, he told her, “My God having you for a night/every night is a dream but if we do it for me I break the doctors’ code and I’d be a dead man x lol.”

The tribunal also ruled the conduct of the doctor, also known as Oluwafemi Esho, was sexually motivated but did not find Patient A to be vulnerable because of her profession.

Botox injections, according to a medical website, Cleveland, improve appearance by relaxing muscles that cause wrinkles. They also treat medical conditions, including migraines, hyperhidrosis, overactive bladder, and eye problems.

To maintain results, treatments are repeated every three to six months.

Continue Reading

Headline

Pop Star Justin Bieber Sparks Concern After Seen Crying Amid Rumours Of Rift With Wife

Published

on

By

Pop sensation Justin Bieber has stirred concern among fans after posting a series of emotional selfies on Sunday, that has been linked to the rumoured split with his wife.

The 30-year-old singer took to Instagram over the weekend to share multiple photo dumps, offering glimpses into various aspects of his life.

From his surprise appearance at Coachella, where he performed during Tems’ set, to moments of leisure such as playing golf, enjoying the beach, smoking, and trying on different trainers, Justin Bieber’s posts provided a look into his world.

READ ALSO: Man Shoots Friend Dead For Taking Bite Of His Girlfriend’s Burger

It was, however, one particular set of images that garnered significant attention from fans.

In a close-up series of selfies, Bieber appeared visibly distressed, with tears streaming down his face.

The pop star stared solemnly into the camera, his emotions laid bare for all to see, as a single tear rolled down his cheek.

Despite the intimate portrayal of his emotions, Bieber offered no explanation or caption for his tearful display, leaving fans puzzled and concerned about his well-being.

READ ALSO: Man Jumps Into Lagoon, Dies After Being Chased By Mob For Alleged Stealing

Justin Bieber’s personal life has come under the spotlight since the recent rumors surrounding his marriage to wife Hailey Bieber (neé Baldwin), 27.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2018, has faced speculation about the state of their relationship on multiple occasions.

Concerns were raised recently when Hailey’s father, Stephen Baldwin, 57, requested “prayers” for the couple, fueling speculation about potential marital troubles.

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version