Global South is a term frequently used these days by journalists and bloggers commenting on Anglican Communion issues. It seems at first glance to be a geographical term. But that's not so. It is really a theological term used by conservative Anglicans, coming mainly from the developing world, to describe themselves. It is much more elegant and apt than the term "Third World' which Anglican leaders from the developing world always disavowed as demeaning.
There now exists a Global South Network which is making its presence forcefully felt, especially through its leaders' presence in Anglican Communion primates' meetings.
Some "liberal' commentators I have read from the US occasionally use the term "Akinola-ites' when referring to Global South leaders. It implies they are all simply doing what the Primate of Nigeria, Archbishop Akinola, tells them to do. In itself, that term is a put-down and akin to racism, for it refuses to accept the theological acuity, Christian leadership and strategic skills of these leaders. For example, call any of those primates an "Akinola-ite' and you are failing to recognise the scholarship, pastoral experience, leadership skills and biblical commitment of each one in his own right. No one, not even a brother primate, tells any of them what to do!
Those who wish to understand the commitments of these Anglican leaders would gain insight by reading The Times journalist Ruth Gledhill's interview with Archbishop Akinola (5/7/07), and Ugandan Archbishop Orombi's article "What is Anglicanism?' in the US journal First Things (Aug/Sept 07 edition).
Orombi and Akinola both eschew Western dominance over them and their churches. "Uganda is second only to Nigeria as the largest Anglican province in the world," wrote Orombi, "and most of our members are fiercely loyal to their global communion. But however we come to understand the current crisis in Anglicanism, this much is apparent: the younger churches of Anglican Christianity will shape what it means to be Anglican. The long season of British hegemony is over."
Referring to the place of Scripture in the life of the Church, Archbishop Orombi wrote, "In the Church of Uganda, Anglicanism has been built on three pillars: martyrs, revival, and the historic episcopate. Yet each of these refers back to the Word of God, the ground on which it is all built…So let us think how the Word of God works in the worldwide Anglican Communion. We in the Church of Uganda are convinced that Scripture must be reasserted as the central authority in our communion. The basis of our commitment to Anglicanism is that it provides a wider forum for holding each other accountable to Scripture, which is the seed of faith and the foundation of the Church."
In his discussion of Church teaching on practising homosexuality, Archbishop Akinola said, "All we are saying is, do not celebrate what the Bible says is wrong. If the Bible says it is an aberration, it is an aberration." He went on: "The missionaries brought the word of God here and showed us the way of life. We have seen the way of life and we rejoice in it. Now you are telling me the way of life is not right. I have to do something else. Keep it for yourself. I do not want it."
And commenting on the claims that he intends to lead a breakaway church, Akinola said "We rejoice in our fellowship, we rejoice in our heritage as Anglicans. We celebrate it. But our unity will never be at the expense of truth, of the historic faith."
Both of these Global South primates emphasise the significance for the Church of Scriptural authority. They reject what they see as the neo-imperialism of the Western liberal church. And they seem to be fighting for the survival and the very soul of Anglicanism.
