conservative leaders oppose violence against homosexuals

By George Conger (Religious Intelligence)

RELIGION – June 26, 2008: Violence against homosexuals is an abomination, and is rightly condemned by all Christians, the leaders of the Global Anglican Futures Conference said in Jerusalem this week.

“Any violence that occurs against a person is wrong,” Sydney Archbishop Peter Jensen said in response to Church questions about its alleged silence in the face of homophobic violence. Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria, Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi of Kenya, Archbishop Henry Orombi of Uganda and Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda noted their assent to Dr Jensen’s condemnation of persecution.

Prejudice against homosexuals was strong in Africa, the archbishops noted. “Every community has its own standards” and there are a number of social “taboos.” If you “break the taboos, you have consequences,” Archbishop Akinola said.

Archbishop Orombi noted the issue of homosexuality in Uganda was also tied in with Christian martyrdom. Between 1885 and 1887 the King of Buganda, Mwanga II had several dozen Christian converts executed after the young men refused his homosexual advances. Every year over a million Roman Catholics and Anglicans travel to the shrines of the Uganda Martyrs, he said.

A reporter representing the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement asked Archbishop Orombi to comment on the case of Prossy Kakooza, a Ugandan woman who was jailed, raped and tortured after it was discovered she was gay, and was currently fight a decision by the Home Office refuse her asylum in Britain.

Archbishop Orombi said he was unaware of the case, and after the details were related to him, said that all Anglicans, as well as all Ugandans would be shocked by the allegations of police brutality and would condemn it.

Dr Jensen summarized the views of all of the archbishops by saying, “any such violence or behaviour against gays and lesbians is condemned by us” and is contrary to Christian principles, and was utterly rejected.