Kenyan Catholic Bishops Warn Obama: Stay Silent on LGBT Rights During Visit
Kenya’s bishops during their ad limina visit with Pope Francis
Keep silent on LGBT rights. This is the message Kenyan Catholic bishops have sent to U.S. President Barack Obama in the days before his planned July visit, a belief shared by their continental colleagues, and a belief increasingly at odds with Pope Francis’ vision for the church.
Bishop Philip Anyolo of Homa Bay, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ president, said the bishops “are not going to allow same-sex marriage” and debate should end.
Presenting a different reason for not focusing on the marriage topic was Fr. Russell Pollitt, SJ, director of the Jesuit Institute in South Africa, told the Catholic Sentinel:
” ‘There are far more pressing issues’ than same-sex marriage that the church in Africa needs to address…It will be ‘sad and a missed opportunity if the focus of Obama’s visit is narrow…’ “
Such concerns about the topic have arisen largely due to the Supreme Court’s June decision to enact equal marriage rights nationwide, celebrated by President Obama by lighting up the White House in rainbow colors on the night of the ruling.
Bishops in Nigeria weighed in on the Court’s marriage decision, which allegedly threatens Africa because of Western cultures massive influence on nations there. They called marriage equality’s global expansion:
“a sad, unjust and lamentable situation based largely upon a distorted perception of natural law, the will of God and human nature.”
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria president, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, added that decriminalizing homosexuality leads to the “festering of the homosexual culture/sub-culture” as he claims is happening in Mozambique, reported Leadership. Nigerian legislators recently passed a law, supported by 87% of citizens according to GLAAD, that sentences couples to fourteen years in prison for marrying.
This resistance to Obama’s visit and the advancement of LGBT equality is a stark reminder post-Obergefell that much work remains in ensuring justice for all people. The Guardian’s Observer column writes:
“[The bishops’ warnings] serve as a chilling reminder that, globally, the war for LGBTI rights is being fought on two fronts. . .across much of the Middle East, Africa and Russia, the fight takes a crueller [sic] form: for the right not to suffer criminal punishment for exercising the right to love whomever one wishes.
“Across most of Africa, same-sex relationships remain illegal and public attitudes towards homosexuality are the most negative in the world.”
Indeed, as some countries advance, others regress. At least 34 African nations criminalize homosexuality and in places like Uganda, there has been much debate over enhancing such laws to even include the death penalty.
African bishops should better inform themselves about the realities of LGBT existence in their communities before speaking any further on the topic. While nations there face issues related to poverty, climate change, and other papal themes, they must also address as entirely inconsistent with the Gospel the violence and discrimination instigated because of victims’ sexual orientation or gender identity. All of these are “pressing” issues.
Endorsing same-gender marriage may be too much to ask, but preserving the life and the dignity of all people, especially those most marginalized, must become a core part of these bishops’ response to LGBT communities.
Kenya’s bishops were not alone in telling Obama to stay silent on LGBT rights, having been joined by other religious and political leaders. But Catholic bishops in Africa should do better. They could start by looking to Pope Francis in moderating their opposition and striking a different, indeed prophetic tone of inclusion, mercy, dialogue, encounter, and welcome instead.
–Bob Shine, New Ways Ministry
Just for the record: Africa is not the only place which bears a lethal animus against same-sex couples. With Obama “making nice” to Iran, it’s necessary to note that, just a few years ago, Iran infamously HANGED a young male couple for having an intimate relationship. Photographs of their hanging were in fact published online. I’m all in favor of reconciliation among countries — but it had better be a reconciliation based on authentic justice and respect for human rights. Otherwise, the “new friendship” is a sham and a moral outrage.
It is so important for me to learn what is happening in the Church world-wide, re. the decisions made about nurturing the spiritual lives of baptized gay, lesbian, bi and transgender members. Your article tells me how necessary it is for the Bishops to come to an understanding of sexual orientation, and from the looks of it, it will not happen soon if jail time or execution are the only tactics they can support to rid their Churches of, “gays”. What kind of spiritual direction is this?
Jesus wasn’t afraid to disagree with the Pharisees of his day. Why put a muzzle on President Obama? OK he’s not Jesus, literally, but truth is truth and justice and compassion are justice and compassion. President Obama: SPEAK!!!
Religion and missionaries have created this anti-gay mindset in Africa. Pope Francis and President Obama might be able to open some hearts and minds to respect the dignity of all persons to live and let live!
Sincerely, Dr Rosemary Eileen McHugh, MD, MSpir
Right on! Rosemary. In the gospel for today’s Mass reading Matthew applies Isaiah’s prediction to Jesus and, for me, it applies to all those who claim to be Christian – including the so-called “Catholic” bishops of Kenya and everywhere else in the world:
“This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
Seems religion and missionaries have not only been breaking bruised reeds and quenching smoldering wicks but actually throwing rocks. I thought THAT was bullying!
I’m with the Gentiles: I’ll KEEP HOPING!