The primate and the Paparazzi
Posted February 17, 2007
Not much news coming out of the Anglican Communion summit in Tanzania today. But on Friday, there was quite a spectacle involving Church of Nigeria primate Peter Akinola.
Security is quite tight in Dar Es Salaam -- it's been described as a "Ring of Steel." Church leaders are inside and reporters are outside -- left in a news-free zone to while away the day poolside.
At one point, however, Archbishop Akinola slipped outside the ring and was spotted by the bored media hordes, who rushed from the swimming pool in hot pursuit. Apparently the throng included the BBC and one boistrous conservative blogger, dripping wet and clad in only swimming trunks and a towel.
The blogger reportedly called out questions suggesting that Akinola had betrayed American conservatives.
Realizing he'd been spotted, Akinola literally ran to escape the media riff-raff, calling out "No Comment!" and covering his face -- as if he were fleeing from a courtroom instead of fleeing into a church council.
Best source on the dust-up: Anglilcan Report at http://www.standfirminfaith.com/
Comments
Amen to that brother Caleb, and I don't even care what religion they are.
Well, at least it wasn't the archbishop in the towel and trunks. If someone in this meeting suddenly yells, "Let's all go swimming," things could get ugly pretty quick.
While Jefferts Schori might well look okay in a bathing suit, I don't know that I'd want to see a bunch of scantily clad middle aged men lounging around the pool and quoting church law.