News Briefs
Episcopal News Service. May 10, 2001 [2001-108]
Diocesan council says 'defrock Ssenyonjo'
(ENS) A Kampala newspaper reports that Bishop Disani Christopher Ssenyonjo, chairman of Integrity-Uganda, is threatened with deposition by the Church of Uganda.
According to a May 10 article in the government-run New Vision newspaper, members of the Namirembe Diocesan Council have proposed that Ssenyonjo be defrocked for supporting Integrity/Uganda. The council also said Ssenyonjo should no longer be referred to as a bishop, but agreed to refer the matter to the Provincial Assembly.
The council also resolved that Ssenyonjo should not "preach in any church, lead any service, wed any couples, [or] carry on baptisms and confirmation in the diocese," according to the report. The archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Livingstone Nkoyoyo, recently banned Ssenyonjo from preaching in any congregation in the Church of Uganda.
The president of the local Mothers Union reportedly asked Namirembe bishop Samuel Ssekadde, who chaired the meeting, if there should be any sanctions against Ssenyonjo's wife as well, but the council resolved that Ssenyonjo was to retain her position as a full member of the Mothers Union "since there was no proof that she was involved in gay activities."
The council also resolved to start a "crusade" to counter what they called "gay activities" and that the diocese "should not have anything to do with people who have come out openly to declare that they are gay," according to the New Vision account.