Conservative Christians are upset about this week’s conference in Jamaica that seeks to repair some of the damage done by churches’ past role in helping to impose anti-LGBT laws in dozens of Commonwealth countries. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Roman Catholic Church
Be brave, Anglicans; oppose Jamaica’s anti-gay law
It’s high time for Anglican bishops, priests and lay people in Jamaica to pluck up enough courage and compassion to support the decriminalisation of gay Jamaicans, says the Rev. Colin Coward, founder of the Anglican LGBTI advocacy group Changing Attitude. After attending Montego Bay Pride in Jamaica last month, Coward reflected on the shared history … Continue reading
Shameful: Anti-LGBT denials by bishops, Ghana leader
Christianity is, and remains, a foreign addition to African culture and, in truth, does not honestly reflect Africa’s organic image. We all know how the religion is said to have started, where its practices originated — which surely was not in Africa. Many religious leaders, especially in Africa, are ignorant, self-centered and deceptive. Despite what … Continue reading
Archbishop: Give homophobes ‘time to deal with’ LGBTI issues
The Washington Blade reported today: An African archbishop on Thursday specifically discussed homosexuality during a Vatican press conference. Vatican Radio reported that Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle of Archdiocese of Accra [in Ghana] said countries need “time to deal with” homosexuality and other “issues from our own cultural perspectives.” He also highlighted the need for “the dignity … Continue reading
LGBTI Catholics in West Africa seek compassion, change
Many LGBTI Catholics in West Africa remain faithful to the church, despite exclusion, homophobia and discrimination, Anglo-Nigerian gay activist Davis Mac-Iyalla reported after a fact-finding trip there. But the church has driven out some of its LGBTI flock, and all of them ask the church to treat them in a more Christian manner. Currently touring … Continue reading
Nigeria: Why the West keeps its hands off
Why don’t Western countries use their economic clout to push Nigeria to repeal the harsh anti-gay law it enacted last year? That’s an issue addressed in the latest interview on the No Strings podcast, which provides a voice for the LGBTI community in Nigeria. The situation in Nigeria differs from that in Uganda, where economic … Continue reading
Catholic setback? LGBT hope remains for long-term change
In the short term, the final report of this month’s gathering of Roman Catholic bishops discussing homosexuality and family issues eliminated the welcoming words that the preliminary report had included about LGBTI people. The news of that reversal was reported here: No More “Welcoming To Homosexual Persons” In Vatican Statement (BuzzFeed) Catholic synod: Pope Francis … Continue reading
Nigerian activist to archbishop: Nice words, now help us
A prominent Nigerian archbishop has spoken out against jailing LGBTI people for their sexual orientation, which Nigerian police and courts have done to dozens of people since the enactment of a harsh anti-gay law in January. In response, a Nigerian activist has urged Roman Catholic Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama to back up his words with action. … Continue reading
Homophobia in the South Pacific
Vanuatu: Bishop says churches reject the gays The Vanuatu Christian Council of Churches says it does not welcome the recent establishment of a LGBT association in the island nation in the south Pacific Ocean. Last week, the president of the LGBT association, Gilio Baxter, said it wants to persuade chiefs, clergy, judges and the government … Continue reading
A prayer for all LGBT prisoners
The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle wrote this prayer last week after visiting LGBT people imprisoned in Cameroon for their sexual orientation/gender identity. His suggestion: Pope Francis should pray it. (This prayer is also available in French.) A prayer for all LGBT prisoners who remain the hidden victims of the church universal Holy Mary, Mother of … Continue reading
