Catholic Church in Uganda

You know what, there is a story which nearly didnt get through. I mean, we have the facts, but, we dont know what to make of them. I have a very fertile imagination, so, of course I am putting that to work here.

Let us start with the facts, which are laid out on this blog, of course.

On October 14 Hon Bahati introduces the Anti-Homosexuality bill in the Parliament of Uganda. It is called tabling, and it was the first reading.
The bill itself is here. And, even now, I have to warn you that it is terrible. No, it isnt, is what Bahati says. It is all a laudable effort to defend our cherished family. Those words familiar? Will be, if you are in the know of some very interesting teaching of a part of the 'Church'.

Soon afterwards, Church and Mosque leaders in Uganda go to the Parliament to give their take on the bill. The Catholic Church was not represented.

Throught the fracas of the last two, three month, the Catholic Church in Uganda has not been making any official statements. Which is suprising. Most Christians in Uganda identify as Catholic. And, their Protestant brothers were coming out very, very vociferously in support of the bill. Why were they silent?

Well, I knew the answer. Catholic theology about homosexuality is kind of centralised. And, they would not support such a bill. But, in common with their Protestant Brethren, Ugandan Catholics are also suitably homophobic. They are also Ugandans, my murderous Christian brothers. So, the Cardinal and the Archbishop were being pulled different ways by popular sentiment in Uganda, and the Church's teaching. The Vatican was in another direction.

I realised they were too silent. That is why I penned this plea. I wanted them in.

Then, of a sudden, the Catholic Church broke its silence. In a dramatic way. And, not in Uganda. They did it at the United Nations. Here is the statement, and a report on it.

“All forms of violence and unjust discrimination”

Holy See issues statement at UN on mistreatment of homosexuals

The Vatican’s legal attaché to the United Nations issued a statement on Dec. 10 putting the Holy See on record as opposed to “violations of human rights against homosexual persons.”

The attaché made his remarks following an afternoon panel discussion about treatment of homosexuals by governments around the world as part of the observance of Human Rights Day, which commemorates the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

 

Here is the full text of the statement from the Holy See:

 

Mr. Moderator,

 

Thank you for convening this panel discussion and for providing the opportunity to hear some very serious concerns raised this afternoon. My comments are more in the form of a statement rather than a question.

 

As stated during the debate of the General Assembly last year, the Holy See continues to oppose all grave violations of human rights against homosexual persons, such as the use of the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. The Holy See also opposes all forms of violence and unjust discrimination against homosexual persons, including discriminatory penal legislation which undermines the inherent dignity of the human person.

 

As raised by some of the panelists today, the murder and abuse of homosexual persons are to be confronted on all levels, especially when such violence is perpetrated by the State. While the Holy See's position on the concepts of sexual orientation and gender identity remains well known, we continue to call on all States and individuals to respect the rights of all persons and to work to promote their inherent dignity and worth.

 

Thank you, Mr. Moderator.

 

Rev. Philip J. Bené, J.C.D.

Legal Attaché

Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations

Oh, it didnt get much play in Uganda. Not at all.

I mean, I saw it, and almost failed to understand its significance. I sent it to Hon. Benson Obua, the co-sponsor of the Bill with Bahati. He called me a pervert [oh no, he doesnt know me. I am a pervert because I am gay] and sent me a link to a Monitor story. This one.

An excerpt from the news story.

The Secretary General of IRC [Inter Religious Council], Mr Joshua Kitakule told Daily Monitor that development partners should not  interfere in the process of legislation in Uganda.

“Those countries should respect our spiritual values. They shouldn’t interfere,” he said. “All senior religious leaders have been given copies of the Bill to read and educate people in the churches and mosques,” he added.   Mr Kitakule said the Bill, which was tabled last month by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati, has not been understood by human rights activists and homosexuals.   

“The Bill is ok. But it has been misunderstood. We need to educate people on this proposed law,” he said.

Bishops from the Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, Seventh Day Adventist churches as well as Muslim kadhis agreed to defend the Bill in their centres of worship.

Yeah, you have seen that, havent you? Catholic Bishops were reported to be there. And, of course, well, shall we say they signed onto the communique?

And, I have been confirmed to by none other that Pastor Martin Ssempa that the Archbishop and Cardinal were there.

Interesting. Interesting.

So, what can I start speculating on?

Total speculation. Rome told Kampala not to support the bill. They couldnt release a statement. But, they have been going around, quietly, supporting it. Of course they are with their brethren in Uganda, part of the cabal of Uganda's Murderous Christians.

So, when the Vatican sees that its Ugandan arcdiocese was very much set on supporting the bill, the terrible Bahati bill, they released a statement.

I read the statement as a slap in the face for the Ugandan leaders of the Catholic Church. Like the one this Cardinal got for saying homosexuals will go to hell. Pure speculation, of course.

I have a feeling most of the faithful in Uganda dont know the Vatican is really opposed to the bill. Hmmmmm!!!!

Pause for thought.



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