Ugandan Bishop speaks out against homophobia
Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo has spoken out against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that is being proposed in his native Uganda. Bishop Senyonjo was speaking at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, at the end of a speaking tour of Ireland.
Addressing the congregation, Bishop Senyonjo cited the Northern Irish Peace Process as an example of a population bringing “love where there is hate”. He added, “we should follow the good example of Ireland where you have been successful in seeking and affecting reconciliation.”
Regarding the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda, which would mean even the words “gay rights” would be forbidden and that failing to report a known LGBT person within 24 hours would constitute a crime, the Bishop said it would “criminalise LGBT people”. Punishments for being gay could range from up to seven years in prison to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
He added, “By the grace of God, some people are speaking [out] against the Bill. . . President Obama described it as odious.”
Bishop Senyonjo also said he would urge the people of Ireland to oppose the bill, adding, “[gay men and women] may be different. . . but we should live with differences. I have found that a lot of the prejudice against LGBT people comes from ignorance.”
This sermon concluded the Bishop’s visit, which was organised by Changing Attitude Ireland which works for the full affirmation of gay people in the churches of Ireland.
