i have no gay links, says uk clergyman

By Munene Kamau and Moses Njagi (The Standard)

May 22, 2006: A visiting British clergyman alleged to be a patron of a gay lobby group yesterday denied links with homosexuality.

Anglican bishop John Gladwin also denied that he was in the country to lobby for the sexual deviance.

Speaking at St Thomas Cathedral in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga District, accompanied by his wife, Ladia, and three other clerics, Gladwin was categorical that the Anglican Church in England did not condone homosexuality.

"We did not come here to talk about homosexuality. Those issues will be dealt with elsewhere, but we are all united in the Lord," he said.

Gladwin said just as Christians in any other parts of the world faced enormous challenges, Britain was no exception.

And Canon Roger Mathews, who was part of the group, seethed with anger at the pulpit as he waved a copy of a local daily containing a story on Gladwin.

The story claimed that the bishop was the patron of a gay and lesbian lobby group in the UK and was in the country to preach at the Mbeere ACK diocese.

"If the story were true, we would not have dared to step in any church in this country," Mathews told the congregation.

There was quiet in the fully packed cathedral as he bitterly exonerated his team from the homosexuality allegations.

There was tension earlier when word went round that the "much awaited guests from England" were indeed coming on a mission to persuade faithful to back homosexuality and lesbianism.

One of the church elders, Komu Gikunju, is said to have alerted the diocese bishop, Daniel Munene Ngoru, on seeing the story.

Ngoru, who was scheduled to host the team, is said to have rushed to the church a few moments before the arrival of the guests to hold held consultations with other clergy.

The church leaders reportedly agreed to receive the guests but to also alert them about the prevailing tension owing to their alleged links, so they could clear their name.

Later when the tension eased, Gladwin confirmed 29 followers who were admitted as the church members.

The provost of the cathedral, Rt. Rev. Winfred Munene, said she had stayed in Chesmford Diocese, where Bishop Gladwin ministers, and had not heard reports linking him to homosexuality.