Church of Uganda says no to new Bill: just tighten old one

THE CHURCH of the Province of Uganda said this week that it “associates itself with the concerns expressed” in the country’s pro­posed anti-homosexuality Bill.

In its present form, the Bill proposes the death penalty or life imprisonment for some of those engaged in homosexual activity. It has been widely condemned across the world (News, 6 November).

The Church’s statement, signed by the Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Revd Henry Orombi, and released on Tuesday, opposes the new Bill, proposing instead amend­ments to the country’s present penal code. It calls for the ending of loopholes in the area of “propor­tionality in sentenc­ing”, but does not clarify whether it opposes the death penalty or imprisonment.

The document says that, none the less, the Church “appreciates the spirit of the Bill’s objective of protecting the family, especially in light of a growing propaganda to influence younger people to accept homosexuality as a legitimate way of expressing human sexuality”.

The statement reaffirms the Church’s position, based on its reading of scripture, that “homo­sexual practice has no place in God’s design of creation, the con­tinu­ation of the human race through procre­ation, or his plan of redemption.”

It therefore supports the parts of the Bill that seek to uphold mar­riage “as contracted only between a man and a woman”; to “prohibit and penalise homosexual behaviour and related practices in Uganda as they constitute a threat to the traditional family”; to prohibit the ratification of any international treaties or agreements that are inconsistent with the legislation; and to prohibit the licensing of organisations that promote homo­sexuality.

The statement recommends six issues to be taken into considera-tion when streamlining existing legisla­tion. These include the protection of male children from homosexual exploitation, and the prohibition of lesbianism and bestial­ity. A further recommenda­tion is to “ensure that homosexual practice or the promotion of homo­sexual relations is not adopted as a human right”.

The Church none the less describes itself as “a safe place for individuals who are confused about their sexuality or struggling with sexual brokenness, to seek help and healing.”

In December, the Archbishop of Canterbury described the pro­posed legislation as “of shocking severity”, and said he could not “see how it could be supported by any Anglican who is committed to what the Com­munion has said in recent decades” (News, 18 December).

The Ugandan parliament is ex­pected to debate the Bill later this month.

On Friday, the director of communications for the Church of the Province of Uganda, Amanda Onapito, issued an interesting rider. It read: “The Church of Uganda does not have oversight of any Anglican churches in the United States. Member churches of the Anglican Church in North America that have been in partnership with the Church of Uganda in the past were not in any way involved in the Church of Uganda’s position on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. They were not consulted, nor was their support enlisted.

“The Ugandan context is different from the American context, and it is likely that our American friends will have a different position from that of the Church of Uganda.”

To read the full statement click on the link below.