African Anglican bishops steer away from gay row

African Anglican archbishops ducked homosexuality, the issue dividing the worldwide Communion, on Thursday and instead drew attention to the poorest continent's problems.

Last month Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, one of the Church's fiercest critics of gay rights, blasted bishops from the U.S. Episcopal Church for "ignoring" pleas to take a clear stand against consecrating gay clergy or blessing gay unions.

Chairing a meeting of African archbishops in Mauritius, Akinola was at pains to avoid the topic.

"I'm trying to avoid dragging us into unnecessary controversy when there are more profitable things to talk about," he told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting.

"This is Africa, and we would rather focus on those important things that affect us Africans."

The Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa said in a statement it was distressed by drought and floods, Zimbabwe's political oppression, the Darfur conflict, and HIV/AIDS.

African Anglican bishops steer away from gay row
Reuters South Africa -