Charismatic preacher Joyce Meyer has added herself to the list of prominent U.S. ministry leaders who have spoken out against Uganda’s highly contentious Anti-Homosexuality Bill.
In a statement released Monday, Meyer said it is “increasingly evident” that the bill introduced in the Ugandan parliament is a “profoundly offensive, dangerous and disturbing attack on the very foundation of individual liberties and human rights afforded not only to the good citizens of Uganda, but on the at-large global community.”
“If enacted, this hostile legislation will also further, and adversely, serve as a major setback in the global health efforts to combat Uganda's AIDS epidemic and reduce the record-high infection rates among the country's HIV population, an already at-risk community that could be further ostracized, threatened, and targeted as potential criminals,” she added, echoing comments from groups such as World Vision.
Proposed last October, Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill seeks to strengthen the criminalization of homosexuality in Uganda by introducing the death penalty for people who are considered serial offenders, are suspected of "aggravated homosexuality" and are HIV-positive, or who engage in sexual acts with those under 18 years of age.
Though Member of Parliament David Bahati, who proposed the bill, said the legislation is necessary to protect Uganda’s children from being “recruited” into homosexuality, the bill has provoked criticism and protests internationally, including in the United States, where both liberal and conservative church leaders have expressed their opposition.
Among those who have spoken out against the legislation are Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, popular megachurch pastor Rick Warren, and leaders of Exodus International – which claims to be the world's largest Christian referral and information network dealing with homosexual issues.
In her statement Monday, Meyer stressed that her motivation and intent is not to interfere with Uganda's political agenda or internal affairs but that, as a believer, she has a moral and ethical duty that compels her to speak out against injustice wherever it may be in the world.
“As a global society, we do not have to agree, endorse or condone the lifestyle choices of others. However, history has taught us that we equally cannot and should not excuse those who would hide behind religion or misuse God's word to justify bigotry and persecution,” she insisted.
Despite criticisms, bill sponsor Bahati and those supporting the legislation insist that it is based on the foundations of "strengthening the nation’s capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional heterosexual family" and "protect[ing] the cherished culture of the people of Uganda, legal, religious, and traditional family values of the people of Uganda against the attempts of sexual rights activists seeking to impose their values of sexual promiscuity on the people of Uganda."
Notably, however, some supporters – including Uganda's Catholic leadership – say they do not back the death penalty provision and instead recommend that the death penalty sentence be replaced with 20 years imprisonment.
Some, including the Anglican Church of Uganda, have also expressed support for amendments to the legislation that call for exemption from punishment for health care professionals, pastors and counselors who may minister to homosexuals or care for HIV patients.
On Friday, a Ugandan parliamentary panel reported that a timetable has not yet been set for debate on the bill.
Furthermore, Stephen Tashyoba, chairman of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee tasked with reviewing the bill before it can be presented to the House, said the legislation is not a priority.
"As far as I am concerned, we really have more urgent matters to discuss like electoral reforms, which are already behind schedule," he told Agence France-Presse.
Presently, homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda - as it is in many sub-Saharan African countries - punishable by incarceration in prison for up to 14 years.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the government of South Africa is the only official entity to acknowledge gay rights.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
RESIST, REJECT, OPPOSE THE ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY BILL 2009 CURRENTLY TABLED IN THE UGANDA PARLIAMENT
**CALL TO ACTION**
(Please circulate to all your African contacts)
The COALITION OF AFRICAN LESBIANS (CAL), a pan African network of lesbian, bisexual and gender non-conforming people, organizations and individuals, calls upon every person who believes in the dignity, equality and freedom of every human being, to take note of and act urgently to halt the Anti-Homosexuality Bill which has just been re - tabled in Uganda. We look to African human rights activists and defenders, politicians, religious leaders, cultural leaders, scholars, lawyers, medical professionals, educators, parents and all human rights respecting and promoting individuals and institutions, to take such urgent action.
The draconian Bill was re-tabled in the Parliament of Uganda by Member of Parliament, David Bahati, on February 7, 2012. The Bill had its first reading and was referred to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for scrutiny. The Committee is expected to examine it and conduct public hearings, and then it will report back to the House for a formal debate on the Bill.
Background:
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 was first introduced in the Parliament of Uganda by Member of Parliament, David Bahati, as a Private Member’s Bill in October, 2009. The Bill proposes severe prison sentences, and in some cases the death penalty. It states that anyone who commits the offence of homosexuality will be liable to life imprisonment as the provisions, according to the Bill, are meant to “protect the traditional family by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex.” The Bill further states that “aggravated homosexuality” will be punished by death as it aims to ban all forms of expression advocating for homosexuality. It would also be an offence for a person who is aware of any violations of the Bill’s provisions not to report them to the authorities within 24 hours. Furthermore, the Bill proposes to criminalize the “promotion of homosexuality” which is a provision targeting civil society and human rights defenders. These and other provisions of the Bill go beyond targeting homosexuals, to affect families, human rights defenders, teachers, neighbors, friends, spiritual leaders, medical professionals, shop owners, to mention but a few.
Stand out and up against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 NOW. We have limited time. Resist this unconstitutional bill and take on one, some or all of the following actions;
1. Pass on this Call to Action to as many concerned Africans as you can and urge them to take action.
2. Write emails to and or call Ugandan Members of Parliament (MPs) urging them to resist and reject the Bill in its entirety because it is anti-human rights and affects every Ugandan in different ways. The full list of all 386 MPs can be found athttp://www.parliament.go.ug/mpdata/mps.hei Click on the MP’s name and you will get their email address and phone number. The MPs can also be contacted through social media such as Facebook. Just search for their name on Facebook and or Twitter.
3. Write to the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and urge him to reject this draconian proposed Bill in its entirety. Urge him to discourage further debate and consideration of the Bill by Parliament and to decline to sign this unconstitutional Bils into law. (Contacts below)
4. Write, call or fax the Inspector General of Police in Uganda, Major General Kale Kaihura, and urge him to ensure the protection of the human rights of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Uganda and those who defend LGBT people. This includes protection from both state and non-state actors who have started to take the law in their hands by harassing and violating LGBT Ugandans. (Contacts below)
5. Write, fax and or call the Minister of Justice in Uganda, Hon. Major General Kahinda Otafire, and the State Minister of Justice Hon. Fred Ruhindi and urge them to speak out against the unconstitutionality of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 and to discourage any further debate on the Bill. (Contacts below)
6. Write to the Minister of Health in Uganda, Hon. Dr. Christine Ondoa and bring to her attention the implications of this Bill on the fight against HIV/AIDS and on access to medical services by LGBT citizens. (Contacts below)
.
7. Write to the Cardinal of Uganda, His Eminence Emmanuel Wamala, and the Arch Bishop of the Church of Uganda , The Most Revd Henry Luke Orombi and urge them to stand out and up and oppose the Bill in its entirety. Tell them that homosexuals need their protection. Point out, to the Cardinal of the Catholic Church, the Catechism of the Catholic Church which says in Article 6, 2358: The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. They are called to protect and not to remain silent amidst injustice and discrimination. (Contacts below)
8. Write, call, fax your Minister of Foreign Affairs and urge him/her to put pressure on the Government of Uganda against the further debating of the unconstitutional Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009.
For more information, please contact;
Victor Mukasa
Advocacy Advisor for East Africa
Coalition of African Lesbians
Tel: +27 11 918 2182
Mobile: +27 78 436 3635
Email: victor@cal.org.za
Fikile Vilakazi
Programs Director
Coalition of African Lesbians
Tel: +27 11 918 2182
Email: fikile@cal.org.za
===============================================================================================================================
ACTION CONTACTS:
The President of the Republic of Uganda
H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Email: aak@statehouse.go.ug, cc: pps@statehouse.go.ug
The Inspector General of Police
Major-General Kale Kaihura
Tel: +256 414 258 114
Fax : +256 414 270 502
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Hon Maj.Gen Kahinda Otafire
Email: mojca@africaonline.co.ug
Tel: +256-414- 230538
Fax: +256-414- 254829
State Minister of Justice
Hon. Fred Ruhindi
Email: fruhindi@parliament.go.ug
Minister of Health
Hon. Christine Ondoa
Tel: +256-414-340872
Mobile: +256772428346/ +256701428346
Fax: 256-41-4231584
Email: info@health.go.ug
The Cardinal of the Catholic Church
His Eminence Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala
Tel: +256 414 510389/510570/510544/510571
Fax: +256 41 510545
Archbishop of Uganda & and Bishop of Kampala
The Most Revd Henry Orombi
Email: abpcou@gmail.com
Tel: +256 414 270 218 / 9
Fax: +256 414 251 925
(Please circulate to all your African contacts)
The COALITION OF AFRICAN LESBIANS (CAL), a pan African network of lesbian, bisexual and gender non-conforming people, organizations and individuals, calls upon every person who believes in the dignity, equality and freedom of every human being, to take note of and act urgently to halt the Anti-Homosexuality Bill which has just been re - tabled in Uganda. We look to African human rights activists and defenders, politicians, religious leaders, cultural leaders, scholars, lawyers, medical professionals, educators, parents and all human rights respecting and promoting individuals and institutions, to take such urgent action.
The draconian Bill was re-tabled in the Parliament of Uganda by Member of Parliament, David Bahati, on February 7, 2012. The Bill had its first reading and was referred to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for scrutiny. The Committee is expected to examine it and conduct public hearings, and then it will report back to the House for a formal debate on the Bill.
Background:
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 was first introduced in the Parliament of Uganda by Member of Parliament, David Bahati, as a Private Member’s Bill in October, 2009. The Bill proposes severe prison sentences, and in some cases the death penalty. It states that anyone who commits the offence of homosexuality will be liable to life imprisonment as the provisions, according to the Bill, are meant to “protect the traditional family by prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex.” The Bill further states that “aggravated homosexuality” will be punished by death as it aims to ban all forms of expression advocating for homosexuality. It would also be an offence for a person who is aware of any violations of the Bill’s provisions not to report them to the authorities within 24 hours. Furthermore, the Bill proposes to criminalize the “promotion of homosexuality” which is a provision targeting civil society and human rights defenders. These and other provisions of the Bill go beyond targeting homosexuals, to affect families, human rights defenders, teachers, neighbors, friends, spiritual leaders, medical professionals, shop owners, to mention but a few.
Stand out and up against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 NOW. We have limited time. Resist this unconstitutional bill and take on one, some or all of the following actions;
1. Pass on this Call to Action to as many concerned Africans as you can and urge them to take action.
2. Write emails to and or call Ugandan Members of Parliament (MPs) urging them to resist and reject the Bill in its entirety because it is anti-human rights and affects every Ugandan in different ways. The full list of all 386 MPs can be found athttp://www.parliament.go.ug/mpdata/mps.hei Click on the MP’s name and you will get their email address and phone number. The MPs can also be contacted through social media such as Facebook. Just search for their name on Facebook and or Twitter.
3. Write to the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and urge him to reject this draconian proposed Bill in its entirety. Urge him to discourage further debate and consideration of the Bill by Parliament and to decline to sign this unconstitutional Bils into law. (Contacts below)
4. Write, call or fax the Inspector General of Police in Uganda, Major General Kale Kaihura, and urge him to ensure the protection of the human rights of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Uganda and those who defend LGBT people. This includes protection from both state and non-state actors who have started to take the law in their hands by harassing and violating LGBT Ugandans. (Contacts below)
5. Write, fax and or call the Minister of Justice in Uganda, Hon. Major General Kahinda Otafire, and the State Minister of Justice Hon. Fred Ruhindi and urge them to speak out against the unconstitutionality of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 and to discourage any further debate on the Bill. (Contacts below)
6. Write to the Minister of Health in Uganda, Hon. Dr. Christine Ondoa and bring to her attention the implications of this Bill on the fight against HIV/AIDS and on access to medical services by LGBT citizens. (Contacts below)
.
7. Write to the Cardinal of Uganda, His Eminence Emmanuel Wamala, and the Arch Bishop of the Church of Uganda , The Most Revd Henry Luke Orombi and urge them to stand out and up and oppose the Bill in its entirety. Tell them that homosexuals need their protection. Point out, to the Cardinal of the Catholic Church, the Catechism of the Catholic Church which says in Article 6, 2358: The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. They are called to protect and not to remain silent amidst injustice and discrimination. (Contacts below)
8. Write, call, fax your Minister of Foreign Affairs and urge him/her to put pressure on the Government of Uganda against the further debating of the unconstitutional Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009.
For more information, please contact;
Victor Mukasa
Advocacy Advisor for East Africa
Coalition of African Lesbians
Tel: +27 11 918 2182
Mobile: +27 78 436 3635
Email: victor@cal.org.za
Fikile Vilakazi
Programs Director
Coalition of African Lesbians
Tel: +27 11 918 2182
Email: fikile@cal.org.za
===============================================================================================================================
ACTION CONTACTS:
The President of the Republic of Uganda
H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
Email: aak@statehouse.go.ug, cc: pps@statehouse.go.ug
The Inspector General of Police
Major-General Kale Kaihura
Tel: +256 414 258 114
Fax : +256 414 270 502
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Hon Maj.Gen Kahinda Otafire
Email: mojca@africaonline.co.ug
Tel: +256-414- 230538
Fax: +256-414- 254829
State Minister of Justice
Hon. Fred Ruhindi
Email: fruhindi@parliament.go.ug
Minister of Health
Hon. Christine Ondoa
Tel: +256-414-340872
Mobile: +256772428346/ +256701428346
Fax: 256-41-4231584
Email: info@health.go.ug
The Cardinal of the Catholic Church
His Eminence Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala
Tel: +256 414 510389/510570/510544/510571
Fax: +256 41 510545
Archbishop of Uganda & and Bishop of Kampala
The Most Revd Henry Orombi
Email: abpcou@gmail.com
Tel: +256 414 270 218 / 9
Fax: +256 414 251 925
Sexual Minorities Uganda Rejects and Opposes the Re-Tabled Anti Homosexuality Bill, 2009
Press Statement –
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kampala 13 February 2012
Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) gravely opposes the Parliament’s re-tabling of Hon. David Bahati’s notorious “Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009 on 7 February 2012 at the opening of the 9th Parliament. The re-tabling of the Bill comes a few days after the first anniversary of the murder of SMUG’s Advocacy and Litigation Officer - David Kato who was killed on 26 January 2011.
“This bill if passed will only serve to show that the state is not committed to protecting minority groups within its borders” said Dennis Wamala, Vice Chair SMUG Executive Board.
Last week international media widely reported that the bill has been amended to remove the provision that would assign the death penalty to someone who was convicted of ‘serial’ acts of homosexuality. However this is inaccurate. While Hon. Bahati has indicated his ‘willingness’ as the Member moving the Bill to remove the provision, the version re-tabled appears to be the original, intact form. According to SMUG, even if such an amendment were to be recommended and adopted, it would render the Bill no more acceptable.
“This bill is not only about homosexuality, but it can actually target the heterosexual community, who, for instance, fail to disclose people they know are homosexuals. We shall fight it to end” said Frank Mugisha, Executive Director of SMUG and 2011 Laureate - Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.
We call on the Members of Parliament and the executive to focus on the real issues that are affecting the nation such as unemployment, inadequate health services especially with the outbreak of the ‘nodding disease’ in Northern Uganda.
“It is un-African to suggest killing, whether it is because of sexual orientation or any other reason. We think this bill is very unfair. We are lobbying for its removal,” said Anglican priest Michael Kimindu, the African president of the Other Sheep, a gay rights group in Kenya.
Sexual Minorities Uganda reiterates that the bill be withdrawn in its entirety because it is antihuman rights and affects every Uganda in ways they do not understand. “With or without the death penalty, this Bill remains unacceptable, and Ugandans who love their country, regardless of sexual orientation, should stand against it.” Pepe Julian Onziema.
SMUG urges all Ugandan allies to take the following actions:
• Contact the leadership of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and express
your opposition to the Bill.
• Issue public statements condemning this bill
* Write emails to and/or call Ugandan Members of Parliament (MPs) urging them to resist and reject the Bill in its entirety.. The full list of all 386 Members of Parliament can be found at http://www.parliament.go.ug/mpdata/mps.he
We urge our Regional and International Partners to take the following actions:
• Contact Ugandan embassies in foreign countries and express your opposition to the Bill in any form.
ISSUED BY
Sexual Minorities Uganda - SMUG is a network of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex organizations based in Uganda. SMUG is the 2011 Laureate of The Rafto Prize.
For further details, contact:
Frank Mugisha – fmugisha@sexualminoritiesuganda.org
Pepe Julian Onziema- jpepe@sexualminoritiesuganda.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kampala 13 February 2012
Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) gravely opposes the Parliament’s re-tabling of Hon. David Bahati’s notorious “Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009 on 7 February 2012 at the opening of the 9th Parliament. The re-tabling of the Bill comes a few days after the first anniversary of the murder of SMUG’s Advocacy and Litigation Officer - David Kato who was killed on 26 January 2011.
“This bill if passed will only serve to show that the state is not committed to protecting minority groups within its borders” said Dennis Wamala, Vice Chair SMUG Executive Board.
Last week international media widely reported that the bill has been amended to remove the provision that would assign the death penalty to someone who was convicted of ‘serial’ acts of homosexuality. However this is inaccurate. While Hon. Bahati has indicated his ‘willingness’ as the Member moving the Bill to remove the provision, the version re-tabled appears to be the original, intact form. According to SMUG, even if such an amendment were to be recommended and adopted, it would render the Bill no more acceptable.
“This bill is not only about homosexuality, but it can actually target the heterosexual community, who, for instance, fail to disclose people they know are homosexuals. We shall fight it to end” said Frank Mugisha, Executive Director of SMUG and 2011 Laureate - Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.
We call on the Members of Parliament and the executive to focus on the real issues that are affecting the nation such as unemployment, inadequate health services especially with the outbreak of the ‘nodding disease’ in Northern Uganda.
“It is un-African to suggest killing, whether it is because of sexual orientation or any other reason. We think this bill is very unfair. We are lobbying for its removal,” said Anglican priest Michael Kimindu, the African president of the Other Sheep, a gay rights group in Kenya.
Sexual Minorities Uganda reiterates that the bill be withdrawn in its entirety because it is antihuman rights and affects every Uganda in ways they do not understand. “With or without the death penalty, this Bill remains unacceptable, and Ugandans who love their country, regardless of sexual orientation, should stand against it.” Pepe Julian Onziema.
SMUG urges all Ugandan allies to take the following actions:
• Contact the leadership of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and express
your opposition to the Bill.
• Issue public statements condemning this bill
* Write emails to and/or call Ugandan Members of Parliament (MPs) urging them to resist and reject the Bill in its entirety.. The full list of all 386 Members of Parliament can be found at http://www.parliament.go.ug/mpdata/mps.he
We urge our Regional and International Partners to take the following actions:
• Contact Ugandan embassies in foreign countries and express your opposition to the Bill in any form.
ISSUED BY
Sexual Minorities Uganda - SMUG is a network of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex organizations based in Uganda. SMUG is the 2011 Laureate of The Rafto Prize.
For further details, contact:
Frank Mugisha – fmugisha@sexualminoritiesuganda.org
Pepe Julian Onziema- jpepe@sexualminoritiesuganda.org
Friday, February 3, 2012
Clerics told not to wed homosexual couples
Church leaders under their association of Born Again Faith Federation insist fellow clerics should not wed any gay couples should government give in to donor pressure to drop the proposed Anti-homosexuality Bill.
Dr Joseph Serwadda, the leader of the federation, said recently that there are signs that the government will be “forced to soften on the demands by the gay movement” in order to throw away the already-shelved Bill which was brought forward by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati.
“The church needs to be assured that government will stand its ground, and this evil be kept where it belongs – in the secret closets of those who practice it,” Dr Serwadda told this newspaper.
The Marriage Act of 1904 does not provide for same-sex marriage.
The comments come at the same time former South African president Thabo Mbeki said the anti-gay proposed law does not make any sense.
Recently, US President Barack Obama and the UK warned they would use foreign aid and asylum conditionalities to push for homosexuality to be decriminalised in Uganda and other “conservative countries”.
Uganda relies heavily on the US, receiving military help to fight the Lord’s Resistance Army and has sent troops to Somalia to fight the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group.
When contacted, the Bill’s architect, Mr Bahati, said late last year: “Our position as a country is clear. Our Constitution prohibits homosexuality and we are not in a trade of values.”
Mr Bahati also advised Mr Mbeki to first read and understand his Bill.
“The Bill was brought to curb a several issues including inducement, recruitment and funding homosexuality. His excellency (Mr Mbeki) needs to read the Bill and understand the spirit in which it was brought and the context in which we are talking about,” Mr Bahati said.
jtugume@ug.nationmedia.com
Dr Joseph Serwadda, the leader of the federation, said recently that there are signs that the government will be “forced to soften on the demands by the gay movement” in order to throw away the already-shelved Bill which was brought forward by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati.
“The church needs to be assured that government will stand its ground, and this evil be kept where it belongs – in the secret closets of those who practice it,” Dr Serwadda told this newspaper.
The Marriage Act of 1904 does not provide for same-sex marriage.
The comments come at the same time former South African president Thabo Mbeki said the anti-gay proposed law does not make any sense.
Recently, US President Barack Obama and the UK warned they would use foreign aid and asylum conditionalities to push for homosexuality to be decriminalised in Uganda and other “conservative countries”.
Uganda relies heavily on the US, receiving military help to fight the Lord’s Resistance Army and has sent troops to Somalia to fight the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group.
When contacted, the Bill’s architect, Mr Bahati, said late last year: “Our position as a country is clear. Our Constitution prohibits homosexuality and we are not in a trade of values.”
Mr Bahati also advised Mr Mbeki to first read and understand his Bill.
“The Bill was brought to curb a several issues including inducement, recruitment and funding homosexuality. His excellency (Mr Mbeki) needs to read the Bill and understand the spirit in which it was brought and the context in which we are talking about,” Mr Bahati said.
jtugume@ug.nationmedia.com
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Archbishop of York: don't legalise gay marriage
Dr John Sentamu says government should not alter centuries-old social structures, but rights campaigner accuses him of being 'religious authoritarian'
The archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said allowing gay marriage would be 'changing the English language'. Photograph: Graham Turner for the Guardian
The government should not overturn centuries of tradition by legalising gay marriage, the archbishop of York has said.
Dr John Sentamu, the second most senior bishop in the Church of England, said the church did not object to the introduction of civil partnerships in 2004, but that marriage should only be between men and women.
"If you genuinely would like the registration of civil partnerships to happen in a more general way, most people will say they can see the drift," he said. "But if you begin to call those marriage, you're trying to change the English language."
The archbishop's comments, which were denounced by the gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, precede the start of the government's consultation on gay marriage in March.
Sentamu said it was not the role of the government to alter social structures that had been in place for centuries.
"I don't think it is the role of the state to define what marriage is. It is set in tradition and history and you can't just [change it] overnight, no matter how powerful you are," he told the Daily Telegraph.
"We've seen dictators do it in different contexts, and I don't want to redefine very clear social structures that have been in existence for a long time and then overnight the state believes it could go in a particular way."
Tatchell, the co-ordinator of the Equal Love campaign, said: "Archbishop Sentamu is a religious authoritarian who wants to impose his personal opposition to same-sex marriage on the rest of society.
"It is not a Christian value to demand legal discrimination against gay couples and to treat them as inferior, second-class citizens with fewer rights than everyone else."
The issue of homosexuality is divisive in the Church of England. Sentamu expressed concern over the "gay marriage" of homosexual clergy after two ministers exchanged rings and vows at a service in London in 2008.
In a joint statement with the archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, he said: "Those clergy who disagree with the church's teaching are at liberty to seek to persuade others within the church of the reasons why they believe, in the light of scripture, tradition and reason, that it should be changed. But they are not at liberty simply to disregard it."
Sentamu, who fled Uganda in 1974, also said the church was failing to represent black and working-class Britons. He said: "The church should be a sign of the kingdom of heaven and should be telling us what it will look like.
"Heaven is not going to be full of just black people, just working-class people, just middle-class people – it's going to be, in the words of Desmond Tutu, a rainbow people of God in all its diversity."
The murder of Stephen Lawrence in London in 1993 had forced many organisations to address institutional racism, Sentamu said, but others – such as media and football – had failed to be so effective, he added.
"Football never did it, so I'm not surprised [by allegations of racism on the pitch]," he said. "I didn't hear that the media ever said: 'Let's put a mirror to ourselves and see whether there isn't this tendency of stereotyping, or being prejudiced, of advantaging people because they went to the same school.'"
The archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said allowing gay marriage would be 'changing the English language'. Photograph: Graham Turner for the Guardian
The government should not overturn centuries of tradition by legalising gay marriage, the archbishop of York has said.
Dr John Sentamu, the second most senior bishop in the Church of England, said the church did not object to the introduction of civil partnerships in 2004, but that marriage should only be between men and women.
"If you genuinely would like the registration of civil partnerships to happen in a more general way, most people will say they can see the drift," he said. "But if you begin to call those marriage, you're trying to change the English language."
The archbishop's comments, which were denounced by the gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, precede the start of the government's consultation on gay marriage in March.
Sentamu said it was not the role of the government to alter social structures that had been in place for centuries.
"I don't think it is the role of the state to define what marriage is. It is set in tradition and history and you can't just [change it] overnight, no matter how powerful you are," he told the Daily Telegraph.
"We've seen dictators do it in different contexts, and I don't want to redefine very clear social structures that have been in existence for a long time and then overnight the state believes it could go in a particular way."
Tatchell, the co-ordinator of the Equal Love campaign, said: "Archbishop Sentamu is a religious authoritarian who wants to impose his personal opposition to same-sex marriage on the rest of society.
"It is not a Christian value to demand legal discrimination against gay couples and to treat them as inferior, second-class citizens with fewer rights than everyone else."
The issue of homosexuality is divisive in the Church of England. Sentamu expressed concern over the "gay marriage" of homosexual clergy after two ministers exchanged rings and vows at a service in London in 2008.
In a joint statement with the archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, he said: "Those clergy who disagree with the church's teaching are at liberty to seek to persuade others within the church of the reasons why they believe, in the light of scripture, tradition and reason, that it should be changed. But they are not at liberty simply to disregard it."
Sentamu, who fled Uganda in 1974, also said the church was failing to represent black and working-class Britons. He said: "The church should be a sign of the kingdom of heaven and should be telling us what it will look like.
"Heaven is not going to be full of just black people, just working-class people, just middle-class people – it's going to be, in the words of Desmond Tutu, a rainbow people of God in all its diversity."
The murder of Stephen Lawrence in London in 1993 had forced many organisations to address institutional racism, Sentamu said, but others – such as media and football – had failed to be so effective, he added.
"Football never did it, so I'm not surprised [by allegations of racism on the pitch]," he said. "I didn't hear that the media ever said: 'Let's put a mirror to ourselves and see whether there isn't this tendency of stereotyping, or being prejudiced, of advantaging people because they went to the same school.'"
Clerics told not to wed homosexual couples
Church leaders under their association of Born Again Faith Federation insist fellow clerics should not wed any gay couples should government give in to donor pressure to drop the proposed Anti-homosexuality Bill.
Dr Joseph Serwadda, the leader of the federation, said recently that there are signs that the government will be “forced to soften on the demands by the gay movement” in order to throw away the already-shelved Bill which was brought forward by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati.
“The church needs to be assured that government will stand its ground, and this evil be kept where it belongs – in the secret closets of those who practice it,” Dr Serwadda told this newspaper.
The Marriage Act of 1904 does not provide for same-sex marriage.
The comments come at the same time former South African president Thabo Mbeki said the anti-gay proposed law does not make any sense.
Recently, US President Barack Obama and the UK warned they would use foreign aid and asylum conditionalities to push for homosexuality to be decriminalised in Uganda and other “conservative countries”.
Uganda relies heavily on the US, receiving military help to fight the Lord’s Resistance Army and has sent troops to Somalia to fight the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group.
When contacted, the Bill’s architect, Mr Bahati, said late last year: “Our position as a country is clear. Our Constitution prohibits homosexuality and we are not in a trade of values.”
Mr Bahati also advised Mr Mbeki to first read and understand his Bill.
“The Bill was brought to curb a several issues including inducement, recruitment and funding homosexuality. His excellency (Mr Mbeki) needs to read the Bill and understand the spirit in which it was brought and the context in which we are talking about,” Mr Bahati said.
jtugume@ug.nationmedia.com
Dr Joseph Serwadda, the leader of the federation, said recently that there are signs that the government will be “forced to soften on the demands by the gay movement” in order to throw away the already-shelved Bill which was brought forward by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati.
“The church needs to be assured that government will stand its ground, and this evil be kept where it belongs – in the secret closets of those who practice it,” Dr Serwadda told this newspaper.
The Marriage Act of 1904 does not provide for same-sex marriage.
The comments come at the same time former South African president Thabo Mbeki said the anti-gay proposed law does not make any sense.
Recently, US President Barack Obama and the UK warned they would use foreign aid and asylum conditionalities to push for homosexuality to be decriminalised in Uganda and other “conservative countries”.
Uganda relies heavily on the US, receiving military help to fight the Lord’s Resistance Army and has sent troops to Somalia to fight the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group.
When contacted, the Bill’s architect, Mr Bahati, said late last year: “Our position as a country is clear. Our Constitution prohibits homosexuality and we are not in a trade of values.”
Mr Bahati also advised Mr Mbeki to first read and understand his Bill.
“The Bill was brought to curb a several issues including inducement, recruitment and funding homosexuality. His excellency (Mr Mbeki) needs to read the Bill and understand the spirit in which it was brought and the context in which we are talking about,” Mr Bahati said.
jtugume@ug.nationmedia.com
Friday, December 16, 2011
Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate Patrick Wekesa yesterday ruled that the four pastors who accused Pastor Robert Kayanja of sodomy have a case to answer.
The quartet, Solomon Male of Arising for Christ, Martin Sempa of Makerere Christian Centre, Robert Kayiira and Michael Kyazze of Omega Healing Ministries are jointly charged with Ms Dorothy Kyomuhendo, former State House aide, and artiste David Mukalazi.
The accused persons have been witnesses and accusers of Pastor Kayanja over allegations that he sodomised a member of his Rubaga Miracle Centre cathedral.
Magistrate Wekesa held: “Investigations yielded contrary results but the accused persons are hereby put on defence. You are free to make sworn statements but you be warned that if you do so, you will be cross-examined.”
He ruled after the state closed its case with 21 witnesses having testified in the controversial case whose trial started in January.
However, yesterday’s proceedings were laced with drama after Mr Wekesa declined to hear an application by lawyers representing the four pastors, describing their submissions as “nonsense and rubbish.”
Mr Wekesa’s statement was prompted by Mr Kato Sekabanja’s request to make an application before the ruling of no-case-to-answer in the sodomy trial. The magistrate, who threatened to throw Mr Sekabanja out of court, said: “No, no! no, keep quiet; you are talking nonsense, I want to deliver my ruling. Sit down.”
He, however, later directed Mr Sekabanja to make the application on December 19.
The quartet, Solomon Male of Arising for Christ, Martin Sempa of Makerere Christian Centre, Robert Kayiira and Michael Kyazze of Omega Healing Ministries are jointly charged with Ms Dorothy Kyomuhendo, former State House aide, and artiste David Mukalazi.
The accused persons have been witnesses and accusers of Pastor Kayanja over allegations that he sodomised a member of his Rubaga Miracle Centre cathedral.
Magistrate Wekesa held: “Investigations yielded contrary results but the accused persons are hereby put on defence. You are free to make sworn statements but you be warned that if you do so, you will be cross-examined.”
He ruled after the state closed its case with 21 witnesses having testified in the controversial case whose trial started in January.
However, yesterday’s proceedings were laced with drama after Mr Wekesa declined to hear an application by lawyers representing the four pastors, describing their submissions as “nonsense and rubbish.”
Mr Wekesa’s statement was prompted by Mr Kato Sekabanja’s request to make an application before the ruling of no-case-to-answer in the sodomy trial. The magistrate, who threatened to throw Mr Sekabanja out of court, said: “No, no! no, keep quiet; you are talking nonsense, I want to deliver my ruling. Sit down.”
He, however, later directed Mr Sekabanja to make the application on December 19.
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