CONGRESS OF FAMILIES DECRIES WORLD SUPPORT FOR GAY RIGHTS

By Mongezi Mhlongo (BTM Reporter)

NIGERIA – 02 June 2009: Homosexuality has been cast as a Western moral decay that should not be adopted, at the recent World Congress of Families (WCF)’s “Dialogue of Civilizations” held in Abuja on 5-7 June 2009.

Themed “Plan of action on family in Africa” the dialogue, among other things sought to restore family values in the African continent.

At this first African conference issues such as abortion, contraception, smaller families and homosexual rights were discussed but strongly condemned.

Speakers at the first WCF event also reportedly decried what they called “attempts by international agencies and Western aid-givers to force abortion, contraception, smaller families and homosexual rights” on Africa.

“I reminded them that these are the values of Western elites, and that authentic Western values, based on Judeo Christian morality are the very opposite of those promoted by the UN and European Union”, Don Feder, Communications Director WCF said.

According to WCF “natural family is the fundamental social unit inscribed in human nature and centered on the voluntary union of a man and a woman in the life long covenant of marriage.”

While the Nigerian government is seemingly mum LGBTI issues, religious and anti-gay organisations are doing their utmost best to cast out homosexuality.

At this year’s 56th Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) General Church Council annual meeting, the council condemned the increasing rate of homosexuality and gay marriages in society and described the practice as an open confrontation with God’s natural standard of living and procreation.

Prior to this, Rev Peter J. Akinola of the Church of Nigeria issued a position paper lauding the pending Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill, stating “The presence of gay churches, fellowships and clubs in Nigeria is not only embarrassing but also very unhealthy.”

While it looks like there has not been any progress on the proposed Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill which seeks to criminalise gay marriages, the LGBTI community is still living in isolation and constant fear.

Homosexuality in Nigeria is currently criminalised under chapter 42, section 214 of the Penal Code and under Sharia Law sodomy and adultery are criminalised.