From THE SCOTSMAN:
The Church of Scotland has condemned the imprisonment of two gay men in Malawi as "unjust". Rev Ian Galloway, convener of the Kirk's influential Church and Society Council, which sets down its policy on social issues, spoke out against the jailing of the two men to 14 years' hard labour after they became engaged in December.
He said: "It is not right to imprison people on the grounds of their sexuality, even in a place where attitudes to human sexuality are different from here, and those differences should not stop us saying so."
From THE OBSERVER editorial:
Homosexuality is not a sin or a crime. There is no caveat or quibble that should be added. The repression of gay men and women by legal means and public intimidation is an offence against the basic principles of a free and just society. Where it exists, which it does to varying degrees in many countries around the world, it must be confronted and defeated.
The case last week of two gay men sentenced to 14 years' hard labour in Malawi is a stark reminder of how urgent the task is.
In five countries around the world – Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen – the death penalty can be applied to gays and lesbians. They can be prosecuted for the fact of their sexual orientation in 76 countries, 38 of them in Africa.
There are also countless jurisdictions where homophobic attacks are tolerated by police. Britain hardly has an impeccable record on that front. But the UK has undergone a cultural revolution with regard to gay rights in the last decade: the repeal of Section 28, which banned teaching about homosexuality in schools; an equalised age of consent; civil partnerships and the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
Britain is also not without influence in countries where persecution is institutionalised. A particular obligation falls on the Anglican church, which counts in its communion clergymen who preach venom and hatred. The Anglican bishop of Uyo in Nigeria, Isaac Orama, has described homosexuals as "inhuman, insane, satanic and not fit to live".
The Anglican hierarchy in Britain has avoided speaking out too frankly on this matter to avoid a schism, but the church's quiet diplomacy has done nothing to help the victims of homophobic repression. Increasingly, it looks like complicity.
Absolutely outstanding headline, MadPriest. One of your best.
RW: It’s not complicity. I just don’t think it’s right for an Archbishop to poke his nose in other people’s business.
KJS: Hail Mary!
JJ: Iben fookd!
I never thought I would say this, but as at least our State Department has spoken out, Thank You God for Hillary Clinton.
FWIW
jimB
When pressed for words, they will say the correct thing, but here is a time for words and action.
Thanks be to God for Amnesty International’s action and words of substance on Steven and Tiwonge’s behalf.
It is a critical editorial but not vouched in tone sufficient to have an effect I feel.
God bless the Kirk! Ever since Andrew Melville told Jamie Saxt and First he was “God’s silly vassal”, they have not been unafraid to stick the heid on dodgy regiemes! Shame they’re Calvinists!
“Let those who have a voice, speak out for the voiceless.”
Oscar Romero
“Silence is the voice of complicity.”
Fr. Roy Bourgeois
ABC– “…I just don’t think it’s right for an Archbishop to poke his nose into other people’s business”
KJS — “Say WHAT?”
It doesn’t look well for Christian bishops anywhere when the Department of State under 2 very different Presidents of the USA condemns clearly and unequivocally the legal persecution of gays in Africa, first in Uganda and now in Malawi. The statement made by the current administration also includes gender identity.
This is an issue which Christian leaders should be leading, and not bringing up the rear, or aiding and abetting the crime.
“Work is the curse of the drinking classes.”
(Oscar Wilde)
“Washing up is the curse of drinking out of glasses”
(MadPriest)
What can I say? Your words will change the world, Jonathan.
WV: “furiner”. Too true.
“Glasses are the curse of boys who make passes.”
“Boys seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.”
I have heard nothing from TEC, or AC_Canada about this. Has anyone else?
FWIW
jimB
Jim, I haven’t heard anything, either. KJS, where are you?
Counterlight used the quote, too, and his commentary in his post is excellent – truly worth a read.
It can’t be right to persecute anybody no matter how a given church interprets the bible.
To the Church leaders : If you’re not part of the solution you are part of the problem
Forget the English Church you wait till the leaders of our Sydney diocese catch up with these Africans. Elder Jensen will show you how to deal with the underdog, and with typical Aussie bluntness. He’ll do us proud!
Your Rowan is certainly an underwhelming little man. There really IS a lot less there than meets the eye.
If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the precipitate.
–actual bumper sticker I’ve seen near home