LUTHERAN COUNCIL SHUNS HOMOSEXUALITY

Mongezi Mhlongo (BTM Senior Reporter)

AFRICA ABROAD – 04 October 2009: The International Lutheran Council (ILC) a world wide association of Lutheran churches has unanimously adopted a statement against homosexuality at the recent international gathering held in Seoul, Japan 26-31 August.

Themed “In Christ: Living Life to the full” and held in Seoul, Japan, 26-31 August, the conference was organised with the aim to confront the homosexual debate which according to the council has divided and brought bewilderment within various congregations including the Lutheran Church. 

“Recent years have brought confusion and discord to churches in various parts of the word including Lutheran churches, as some church bodies have adopted resolutions stating that sexually active, same gender relationships are an acceptable way of life for Christians”, read the statement.

Citing reasons for the issuing this statement, the council added that such a statement was needed to reaffirm the teachings of the bible and reveal their stance on same gender relationships. 
 
“The scriptures testify clearly and repeatedly that the lifelong committed union of one man and one woman is the place the Lord intends for human sexuality to be lived out. Biblical passages which address the practice of homosexuality do so in terms of disapproval.”  

“Our desire to proclaim and to live the abundant life in Christ compels us to make this statement in the light of the current turmoil regarding same gender relationships”, read the statement.

Member churches of the ILC from the African continent include, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, The Lutheran Church of Nigeria, Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa and the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa. 
 
Meanwhile it is unclear what member organisation intend to do in implementing the adopted statement. When BTM contacted the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod, office of the President-Synodical Council, no one was willing to comment adding that they agree with what is stipulated in the statement.