UGANDA: Church condemns homosexuality, calls for amendments to proposed bill
Episcopal News Service. February 9, 2010 [020910-06]
Matthew Davies
The Church of Uganda called Feb. 9 for a new bill that that would amend the country's penal code to make its current anti-homosexuality laws more comprehensive.
In a position paper the church said it had "concerns" with a proposed bill that would introduce the death penalty for people who violate portions of that country's anti-homosexuality laws. The bill has received condemnation from international religious and political leaders.
The Ugandan church has said it wants to see amendments to the current law that address what it calls "loopholes," in particular to protect "the vulnerabilities of the boy child"; "proportionality in sentencing"; and "ensuring that sexual orientation is excluded as a protected human right."
The paper said the Church of Uganda believes that "homosexual practice has no place in God's design of creation, the continuation of the human race through procreation, or His plan of redemption."
Signed by Archbishop Henri Orombi, the paper notes that the church appreciates the objectives of the bill which seek to "prohibit and penalize homosexual behavior and related practices in Uganda as they constitute a threat to the traditional family."
Leaders throughout the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion that have opposed the law include Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and Archbishop of York John Sentamu, a Uganda native.
Williams has said the proposed changes in the law are "of shocking severity" and he could not see "how it could be supported by any Anglican."
Expressing her concern in an early December statement, Jefferts Schori said "the public scapegoating of any category of persons, in any context, is anathema."
Homosexuality in the African nation currently carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment. If passed, the proposed bill would introduce the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality," which includes assault against people under the age of 18 and those with disabilities.
Opponents fear that people, including family members and clergy, who support and advise homosexual people could be prosecuted and punished under the proposed law.
One amendment recommended by the Church of Uganda is for the law to protect "the confidentiality of medical, pastoral and counseling relationships, including those that disclose homosexual practice in accordance with the relevant professional codes of ethics."
The church also suggests that the legislation should "enumerate other sexual offences such as lesbianism and bestiality."
The paper concludes by noting that the Church of Uganda, as part of the Anglican Communion, "reiterates her position on human sexuality and her desire to uphold the pastoral position of providing love and care for all God’s people caught up in any sin and remaining consistent with Holy Scriptures of the Christian Church."
The bill was first proposed in October 2009 by Ugandan Member of Parliament David Bahati. Uganda's parliament is expected to commence discussions about passing the bill in late February or March 2010.