BBC’s Trevor Barnes interviews Bishop Michael Nazir Ali as he steps down
We Salute You Bish Naz!
From the BBC’s The Sunday Programme
TB: Earlier this week I spoke to Bishop Nazir Ali, and wondered whether his recent comments and actions were not themselves contributing to an ever-widening split in the Anglican Communion. His call on homosexuals to repent and change, for example.
MNA: Look, I am a priest. Every time I celebrate the Eucharist I call on everyone to repent, including myself. What I was saying at the time was that the Church should repent of capitulating to culture and that it should repent of neglecting its mission, and I said that repentance was for everyone. I was then asked if that was also for homosexuals, and I said yes, it was for everyone. Each one of us needs to repent, to walk with Christ, and as we walk with Christ our desires and inclinations, the whole of our lives, are transformed. And that is for everyone.
TB: On areas of sexuality and ordination of gay priests and the consecration of gay bishops and women bishops, there is a de facto split right down the middle, isn’t there?
MNA: There may be a de facto split, but the Church continues to uphold and to teach what it always has done, and I certainly see it as my responsibility make sure that the church continues to do this.
TB: The trouble is that by publicly endorsing the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans and going to its alternative synod in Jerusalem, aren’t you paving the way for a formal split within the church?
MNA: Schism is caused by those who depart from the faith, not by those who continue to adhere to the faith. GAFCON, or the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, is not a schismatic movement – it is a movement precisely to renew.
TB: But isn’t it your intention to give the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans your continued and high profile support?
MNA: My support has been very low profile, actually – I was only in Jerusalem only for 3 days …
TB: But by virtue of your being a senior bishop with some pull?
MNA: There are senior archbishops and many other senior bishops involved, but I do my bit because I want the Church to remain faithful, and to be renewed in its life.
TB: Was your decision to step down from Rochester at all influenced by disillusionment or dissatisfaction with the mainstream direction of the church?
MNA: Not at all. For some time I have been asked repeatedly by Church leaders in Churches under pressure to help them with the development of leadership in their churches. I think it is vital for the health of our Church that these Churches should be strengthened and supported.
TB: To what degree do you think your recent comments about no-go areas in certain parts of the North are going to hinder your work?
MNA: What I was saying was that at the very period when Britain was challenged by a new kind of diversity – people of different cultures and different faiths arriving here – it began to lose its Christian discourse in the public sphere, and this was replaced by this new fangled idea of multiculturalism. It is well known and well documented that that has resulted in separate communities. These parallel communities gave an opportunity to extremists. As far as Christian work is concerned, what it has meant is that extremists have made it difficult for Christian workers in some parts of this country. I myself have experienced intimidation in a northern city. That is the sort of thing I was drawing attention to.
TB: A convert to Christianity, albeit a second generation one, will not be a popular figure in Muslim countries.
MNA: Muslims, like Christians, are different, different, different. I have wonderful Muslim relatives whom I love and who love me. If I am unpopular because of my faith in Jesus Christ, then so be it.
TB: You are a conservative evangelical. Evangelicals are on the lookout for conversions. Will you be looking to convert the Muslims whom you encounter?
MNA: I have always described myself as an evangelical catholic. But yes, I believe that we have a duty to bear witness to what God has done in Jesus Christ to everyone.
Tags: Christian Life