Uganda Catholic Church’s Silence

Uganda’s Catholic Church Fathers are playing Blind, Deaf and Dumb.., to the Anti-Homosexuality Death Bill…

Have I been too harsh judging their silence? 

No. I am not.
Ugandans, like a lot of African countries, are quite religious. Religious organisations are powerful here. Just look at how the Inter-religious Council actually initiated passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023.
But, apart from that power, these powerful men and women are highly hypocritical. The talk is just talk. What they do, how they behave would be scandalous, in any country other than Uganda. You remember Pastor Ssempa showing gay porn in church?   It is exposure in the foreign press that actually stopped him. In Uganda, he showed it multiple times in Churches and other public spaces, and it was only remarkable in the numbers who took the time to go ‘see for themselves’.
Someone took the trouble to list, without names, some of the ‘more recent’ Pastors scandals here. From bigamy, adultery, ‘homosexuality’ and others.

Calling out the Uganda Catholic Church’s deep, abiding hypocrisy, when I have the utterances of the Pope, the current, living, Pope to support me is just sense. 

I am [relatively] sure that when they comment on Uganda’s Homosexual Death bill, they will be the essential biblical Pharisee hypocrites, [in this story]  and they will throw up their hands and say, oh, we don’t agree with a few things, but the bill is law…!

In the AP interview on 25^th Jan 2023, Pope Francis noted that some Catholic Bishops advocated for criminalisation of homosexuality. He had just stated that homosexuality is a sin, just as much as a lack of ‘charity’ was also a sin… He stated.

“Acknowledging that some Catholic bishops nevertheless support criminalization, he said “these bishops have to have a process of conversion,” adding that they should apply “tenderness.””

Is the silence from the Catholic Church in Uganda the sort of ‘tenderness’ Pope Francis is talking about?

Or is it playing the Pope Pius XII handbook, hoping for exoneration later on?

 

gug

One Teachable Moment

Thanks to dear Martin…!

who is leading a church of homo-haters in disgust and revulsion at what gay men do behind closed doors.  And what do they do?  They “eat da poo poo,” of course, “like ice cream.”

Despite the very real possibility that this sort of propaganda will lead to the death penalty for men who have sex with other men in Uganda, the man is so ridiculous and clearly located elsewhere that Americanqueers have responded with humor more than outrage .  In fact, there’s even a dance remix of the minister’s anti-homo remarks.

Having watched this with my teenaged daughter – it was on her favorite vlog- we had one of those “teachable moments.”

Teenager:  That’s so messed up.  Uganda’s messed up.

Me: Yeah, but they’re funded by American conservative Christians.

Teenager: But Uganda’s more messed up than here.

Me: I hope so.

--

You follow that post, you will find that the Republican Party of Texas believes almost word for word what Martin Ssempa preaches. Yeah, no one has a monopoly on stupidity.

-

Ahem,. Uganda is one messed up country. I know, I am Ugandan, and fact is, I agree. Did you hear of the ‘National Day of Repentance’?

Declared by the President. It was last Sunday.... didn’t blog, my bad. But, it was, actually there. Fact, I am a non-believer. So maybe that is why it strikes me as weird. Other people’s religion, to one who is not so inclined, is weird.

The decision to declare a national day of repentance, according to the organisers, was reached after several prophets approached the president with prophetic warnings of bloodshed, death of political and church leaders, famine, and many other calamities that would befall Uganda as the consequences of her evil deeds.

“These and other acts, which have been or are being committed, have not pleased God. We risk losing out on God’s blessings for this nation if we choose to disobey Him,” President Yoweri Museveni warned in a press statement.

“Accordingly, I have declared that on Sunday June 20, 2010, at 9:00am at Kololo Independence Ground, we shall gather together for a special day of prayer and repentance. This is so that together we may thank God and seek his mercy and forgiveness for this great and chosen nation,” the president said.

When the President of the Republic declares a National day of repentance, I first feel it weird, and then start looking for something underhand. What I thought was happening was a rally... Elections are next year. The president is out in force on one of his ‘poverty’ tours. And, in Kampala, why not hold a religious rally? Have you seen the list of sins to repent of? It was drawn up by the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Hon. Nsaba-Buturo, so homosexuality must be there somewhere...!

But, what is so weird, so funny, for me as a Ugandan, [errr, you know of how many times I as a gay Ugandan is accused of being non-patriotic, simply because I am gay?], what is interesting is that it seems the inspiration is coming from across the Antlantic, from America. You think I am lying you? Well, let me run and hide in the New Vision. And, as you read this, remember that it IS THE government paper. The government mouthpiece.

America became a blessed and prosperous country built on godly values after its former President Abraham Lincoln on March 30, 1863 appointed Thursday 30th April 1863 as a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer for the pardoning of their national sins.

Now, which is which? When I say I am gay, I am accused of being an idiotic, unafrican person. When someone else imports a religion from their colonizers, and, continue to hold onto it… for them they are good.

Don’t worry, friends from America. We are kind of selective in our hypocrisy. We choose to lambast gay rights as of the devil, but we are kind of hypocritical in embracing the anti-gay agenda from the west. Well, we cannot embrace both, can we?

---

One of the reasons that religion seems so weird to me is the issue of faith. We are human beings. Individiuals, different, unique…. yes? So, I would be happy thinking that we can never really agree. But, of course religious dogma says we must BELIEVE in something, in the correct way. Sorry, now I am injecting my personal prejudices into it… cant run away from them. Here is what the Catholic leader from Botswana believes about gay people.

“The Church does not reject them,” he said. “We only reject attendant practices, like sodomy.”

Calling homosexuality a “sickness mostly of our own making,” Seane added, however, that the orientation is not something that the church can “justify,” although the church will “sympathise to see how people who find themselves with such inclinations can be helped.”

“There are interventions that include surgery, hormonal (balancing), and psychological counseling,” he said. “We do acknowledge that such orientation might result from physiological make-up or hormonal imbalance, but you can work on that.”

“Sometimes socialization plays a role, especially in a family that perhaps had wanted to have a girl to such an extent that the parents insist on dressing a son in girl’s clothes,” Seane added.

So, how does one ‘believe correctly’? Not surprisingly, such a point of view is very different from our Ugandan religious leaders who wanted us in prison, or getting the death penalty, for touching, and other heinous crimes. Matter of fact, we kind of educated them a bit...!

Now, the sound of vuvuzelas is in my ears. South Africa against France... and those angry bees from the television have to be listened too. Of course, the French players revolt, and fact that the hosts South Africa maybe out after this match is interesting! Have a great day.

gug

The Catholic Church in Uganda

I like. Correction,

I love the pickle and bind that the Catholic Church in Uganda has found itself in.

To give a background, I am no Catholic. [Snort]

Of course, I am no Christian.

But, my lover is a Catholic. At the moment, one would say, a ‘lapsed’ Catholic, since I am the one who even noted that Ssempa’s Porn show was in Church on Ash Wednesday, a day I remember him celebrating consistently earlier on in our relationship. But, this time, he didn’t remember that it was Ash Wednesday.

But, thru the years, my lover’s evident distress and conflict between his sexuality and his faith made me research the Catholic teaching on homosexuality. I found it hypocritical, but couldn’t tell him that. ‘Intrinsically disordered’? Ha ha ha ha!!!

Anyway, I was happy to do the research. And pass on that which was relevant.

Then came the Anti-Homosexuality bill of 2009.

Ugandan Catholic leaders are good Ugandans. Which means that they are rabidly homophobic. That is the characteristic of good Ugandans.

And, it also means that they are suitably, strongly ignorant.

And, this time they were ignorant of the fact that there is an official Vatican position on homosexuality. And, that though Catholicism is officially homophobic, they have tried to inform their ‘stand’ with the knowledge that has been gathered over the years.

I have watched them twist and turn with relish.

Yes, I have. It is very interesting noting the official ‘evolution’ of their stand. And, the sticks that the Vatican has been throwing at them.

I know, the Vatican is no friend to gay people. That is a matter of fact. And, they are not going to be friends. That is also a matter of fact.

But, the official Catholic doctrine admits that gay people exist. And that they are so made by their creator. Or, something to that end. They just go ahead and expect us to be celibate…. Religion is interesting in its denial of reality.

But then, here you are talking to a person who laughs at the perceived freedom to think that I have, being non-religious.

Anyway, the bill came, and was in parliament. Suddenly, the Catholic Church in Uganda had to have a position. And, they had to quickly start informing themselves about what had been happening in the rest of the Catholic church.

I wonder, why do homophobes insist on being ignorant of sexuality? Just asking….

Anyway, the bill was in parliament.

Catholics make up the biggest religious group in Uganda. I believe Wikipedia says something like 38% of the population.

For two months, the Catholics of Uganda studied and studied the bill. They had nothing to do but study it. [Me, I kind of forced myself to read through it in one hour, and, I had come to a position. grinnnnnnnnnn. A negative position of course.]

The Catholics of Uganda were so silent that I decided to ‘jog’ them.  Of course, a statement from them couldn’t be positive with regards to me. But, the Bill is so bad, that I knew it was well past the criteria of ‘good’ that is piously mandated in heaven…, sorry. The Vatican.

Then, the Vatican came up with this statement.

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.

I considered it a slap in the face for the Catholics of Uganda. Here…

And, of course it was. They should have rejected the bill from the very beginning. [so should every Christian, however homophobic. (I don’t consider Pastor Ssempa a Christian. I value independence of thought, and there is too much evidence to the contrary)]

That kind of forced the Catholics in Uganda’s hand.

They came up with a statement. Nicely homophobic, and in ignorance of basic Vatican teaching on homosexuality. But, tucked in at the bottom was the statement that they rejected the bill. That was supposed to correct the impression that they were supporting the bill. Of course it didn’t.

And, to further outline their ‘principled opposition’ to homosexuality, the Catholic church, with the rest of the preachers, had one statement on Christmas day. All about homosexuality.

See, this ‘loving the sinner and hating the sin’ doctrine was becoming a bit cumbersome. They couldn’t show gay porn in Church, but, they could do other things. Like telling all Ugandans about how bad we homosexuals were.

Did any Ugandans leave church on Christmas day not convinced of the support of the catholic church for the bill? Err, nuanced support, of course….. Because they rejected the bill, didn’t they?

Someone has taken the trouble of picking out the actual differences between what the Catholic Church in Uganda says about the Bill, and what the Vatican actually says. Interesting reading, if you are interested in all matters Catholic. Personally, I rest on my laurels, thinking, Uganda’s Hypocritical Murderous Catholics. Parsing words as the fire burns, thinking about how much to show their hate when they should know better.

Am I too bitter?

Here is the analysis from someone else better qualified to read the small print of the Uganda Catholic Church statements.

F Young said...

Catholic Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga's endorsement of this March 9, 2010 statement by the Council of Presidents of the Inter–Religious Council of Uganda is inconsistent with the position the Holy See has taken at the United Nations in 2008 and 2009:

 

2008:

Vatican Statement on Sexuality and Homosexuality

Related link.

 

2009:

Statement posted here.

 

The Archbishop's earlier official position on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was also inconsistent with the Holy See:

Ironically, the IRCU statement advocates "7. e. Counteracting the distortion and misrepresentation of the debate on homosexuality by the media."

Yet, the Archbishop himself appears to be distorting and misrepresenting the Vatican's position (or has the Vatican's position changed since December 2009?). Perhaps someone with a good understanding of the politics of the Catholic church could say whether it would be worthwhile to ask the Vatican to correct the Archbishop's repeated public apparent misstatements of the Vatican's position.

 The Vatican has already done this with respect to Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan (Cardinals are at a higher level than an Archbishop; they are second only to the Pope.):

http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=18103

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0905340.htm

 

 

F Young said...

I want to clarify my earlier comment about the inconsistencies between the ICRU statement and the positions of the Vatican. See my earlier comment for the links.

 Firstly, the ICRU statement fails to call for the decriminalization of adult consensual homosexual sex. This is a major element of the Vatican's official position and a life-changing/saving omission for LGBT's in Uganda. On the contrary, the ICRU statement says that homosexuality "should not be allowed in our society," and impliedly supports section 145 of the Penal Code by using its continuation as the basis for its argument that the Bill is unnecessary.

 Secondly, the ICRU statement fails to call for an end to "every sign of unjust discrimination" to homosexual persons, to "all forms of violence against homosexual persons," to "all grave violations of human rights against homosexual persons, such as , , , , , torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment," all elements of the Vatican's official position that are hugely relevant to Uganda.

 Lastly, the ICRU statement deplores that the "proposed law does not provide for the rehabilitation of repentant homosexuals." When read with the criticism that "the proposed death penalty and life imprisonment do not provide the sinner an opportunity to repent" and the statements that the churches "welcome the sinners to confess, repent and seek a new beginning," and "believe homosexuals need conversion, repentance, support, and understanding and love," one is left to wonder whether the churches are calling for "conversion" "therapy" as a "get-out-of-jail" card for those condemned to prison.

 Surely that is not the Vatican's official position, but then what does the statement mean when it deplores that the "proposed law does not provide for the rehabilitation of repentant homosexuals?" Conversion therapy, but you stay in jail anyway?

 What to make of all this? Has the Catholic Church changed its mind? Does it fear the government or a reduction in tithes? Does the Ugandan Catholic church disagree with the Vatican? I don't know.

 So, what do we do now? Is it best not to do anything? I don't know enough. The stakes are very high. Personally, I would appreciate input from people who are very familiar with Ugandan politics and the politics of the Catholic Church at the Vatican and Ugandan levels.

 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

A definite NOT meeting of the minds.

Now, let me answer your questions. The Catholic Church in Uganda, in my assesment, was completely ignorant of the Vatican's actual 'doctrinal guidance' on homosexuality.

Their statements have shown that. And, they were not alone. So was the rest of the churches, mosques, etc. The homophobia in Uganda is fueled by an appaling ignorance, which they reinforce by branding any contrary information as 'promotion of homosexuality'. That is a literal mindset. We see it everywhere, in legal circles, with the MPs, with the Anglican church, and with the Catholics of course.

It must have been a shock for them to even discover that the Catholic Church does have a very detailed position on homosexuality. And, that it is very contrary to what the people here believe.

No, It is not government coercion. Actually, the religious people here were the ones trying to force the government to have the bill become law as soon as possible. Minimal debate mandated.

It is just plain ignorance.

And, I bet you that they are going to need more self education. Because, even though they will not show porn in Church, [how would the Vatican react???], they still have the same.... spirit?

Hey, I am allowed to be this forthright and brutal in my assessment.

And, my assessment is that they have been ignorant, are trying to educate themselves, but are still sticking out their prejudices.

No, icearc. I don't believe the Catholics forced the others to sign that statement. I think the matter of self education is occurring because too many people are suddenly understanding that most of the religious leaders are actually hate pedalling, and ignorant at the same time.

Sniff,

New knowledge? They could have asked me, long time ago!!!!

gug

Position of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Now, before you read further, I have to say I am sorry I didnt post this before.

And, why did I not post it?

• I am a flawed human being. I heard of it, and didnt consider the depth of change of heart the signatories had had to make it.
  
• They have made so many inflammatory statements against us gay Ugandans that, even when there is this little change of heart, it should be lauded. But, I think them hypocrites, the leaders of the main religions in Uganda.
  
• For the greater part of five months, they have said exactly the opposite. And, me, I am irreverent, and dont consider their hypocrisy something to celebrate.
  
• And, lastly of course, the statement still stinks of hypocrisy.

So, have I made you really curious, and biased about what the leaders of the 3 major religions in Uganda have to say about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill?

Yes?

But, I have to rub my back too. To get them to agree to this, it took lots and lots of campaigning. On my part, on that of many other people outside the country. Thanks you guys out there.

Now, please read this, the position of the IRCU, the official position, signed by the Catholic Archbishop, the Anglican Archbishop, the Seventh Day Adventist leader, the Uganda Orthodox Church Leader, and, the Sheik of Uganda.

Amazing.

It leaves Bahati the Dupe, and Ssempa hanging out there, unsupported.

Here is the statement.

Position of ICRCU

Tuesday, 9th March, 2010     

 

IRCU is an initiative that brings together different religious institutions to address issues of common concern.

 

Its membership comprises of the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, the Church of Uganda, the Uganda Orthodox Church and the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

 

Vision: A divinely Peaceful, prosperous and HIV/AIDS free Uganda

We the Council of Presidents of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) gathered this 10th day of February, 2010, at IRCU Secretariat;

 

Having read and considered carefully the provisions in the Anti-Homosexuality Bill yet to be debated by Parliament;

Aware of our mandate to nurture and protect the moral fibre of our society, guided by the Holy Scriptures of the religions we subscribe to;

 

Hereby state that:

1. The Bible, the Quran and other Holy Teachings treat homosexuality as a sin. Both the Bible and Qur’an are categorical in their objection to same sex relationships (Lev. 18:22; Surah Ash’shura 26:165-166). Homosexual acts are contrary to the natural divine law, and under no circumstance can be approved.

 

2. The IRCU Council of Presidents, therefore, condemns homosexuality as an undesirable evil that should not be allowed in our society.

 

3. Our religious teachings promote respect, compassion and sensitivity. We, therefore, condemn the sin but welcome the sinners to confess, repent and seek a new beginning. This is based on the belief that all people are called by God to fulfill His will in their lives; IRCU, therefore, decries the proposed death penalty and life imprisonment in the proposed Bill as unwarranted. We believe homo-sexuals need conversion, repentance, support, and understanding and love in order to abandon their practices and return to God fully.

 

4. Since the proposed death penalty and life imprisonment do not provide the sinner an opportunity to repent, hence falling short of compassion to those who need conversion, repentance, support and hope, they are unnecessary.

 

5. Even the proposal to prosecute those who fail to disclose information regarding homosexual acts is inconsistent with the trust, confidentiality and professional ethics of persons such as parents, priests, counselors, teachers, doctors and leaders, to whom the sick, troubled and repentant sinners turn in search of support and advice for rehabilitation. The proposed law does not provide for the rehabilitation of repentant homosexuals. Yet as Religious Leaders, we are mandated to reach out to all people of God in a show of love and compassion (Mt. 9:10-13). The proposed Bill also has the potential to destroy the family as it is likely to undermine the important role of parents in providing guidance to their children.

 

6. Additionally, in our view the proposed Bill may not be called for considering that acts of sodomy are already condemned under section 145 of the Penal Code. However, we recognize the need to improve on the Penal Code as it has gaps which can be addressed by some provisions contained in the proposed Bill.

 

7. We the Council of Presidents of the Inter – Religious Council of Uganda, therefore, advise government, and all well-meaning groups and individuals to take remedial measures against this evil that has crept into our society by:

a. Exposing the people and organizations funding homosexuality in the country;

b. Providing enough information on recruitment and funding to the public in the interest of transparency and accountability;

c. Establishing facts on homosexuality and gay activities in Uganda and publishing a brochure which IRCU can distribute through its structures;

d. Emphasizing our core cultural and religious values and undertaking moral education in schools; and

e. Counteracting the distortion and misrepresentation of the debate on homosexuality by the media.

SIGNED:

His Eminence Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga: Archbishop of the Uganda Orthodox Church; Chairperson, IRCU Council of Presidents

 

His Grace the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi: Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Uganda/Member IRCU Council of Presidents

 

Pr. Dr. John Kakembo

President, Seventh-day Adventist Uganda; Union/ Member IRCU Council of Presidents

 

His Eminence Sheikh Shaban R. Mubaje: Mufti of Uganda/ Member IRCU Council of Presidents

 

His Grace Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese/ Member IRCU Council of Presidents

Uruguay

A country in South America. First heard of it in football of course. Soccer.

But it has got to a milestone in the ‘Homosexual Agenda’- allowing gay people to adopt. Seems like a good milestone, to me. But, there are those who defer. And are vocal about it. Here

The vice president of the Bishops’ Conference of Uruguay, Bishop Rodolfo Wirz, is  lamenting the recent approval by the Uruguayan Senate of a law allowing homosexuals to adopt. The measure, the bishop said, “is a wrong decision that is going to jeopardize all society ,but especially our children” and is “a step backwards for development.”

Bishop Wirz told CNA that the Church respects homosexual persons but that when it comes to the issue of “adoption, that is, raising a girl or boy whose identity is at stake, and of the complementarity between fatherhood and motherhood, beyond the religious dimension, we think this measure is inappropriate, it is counterproductive and of no benefit to our society.”

“I think the passage of this law is a step backwards for the development of society,” he continued.  “Moreover, being the first Latin American country to pass a law allowing homosexuals to adopt is not a point in our favor; rather, it is unfortunate and sad because this is not the way to help boys and girls who need to be adopted,” he said.

Well, gay and a man, cant sleep with a woman. Ok, can, but, (pssshhhhhhh!) dont know whether would perform...! Ah!!!

So, I am still a human being. Want, feel like having children. Can support them of course. Very different from what my father wants.. Just a bigger clan. Spread my seed etc. I want my own children. To love, to teach, to laugh with and share my laugh with. Yeah, even the fact that I am gay, and happy, and married. (to a man, of course!)

So, what is bad about that?

Nothing, I say.

Everything. Says many other people. And know why they say that? In defense of the 'Family'. Which family? Certainly not mine, not the one that I want to bring up.

Life is short, sweet. We are here but for a short time. Think I should defer my joy in having children in deference to some abstract family that I can never have? Yeah, you be the judge...!

And Bravo, Uruguay

gug

Sinful Votes

Fact, I do not get it. How, in this day and age, and in the US of all places, one can call voting for the president a sin.

But then, I am an unbeliever.

The church is certainly unhappy. 54% of Catholics voted for Obama!

Funny, just today, after taking my ire out on a believer, I apologised. I should not tell a person what to believe, and how to believe and how not to, and, even when there is a severe conflict in someone's believes, I am not the one to correct it. That I have understood, after a long time, but I would sincerely love to lift the logs out of some people's eyes... Ahem, ahem.

Here is the article

Another Catholic pastor labels voting for Obama a sin

By Sue Nowicki | Modesto Bee

Parishioners of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Modesto have been told they should consider going to confession if they voted for Barack Obama, because of the president-elect's position condoning abortion.

"If you are one of the 54 percent of Catholics who voted for a pro-abortion candidate, you were clear on his position and you knew the gravity of the question, I urge you to go to confession before receiving communion. Don't risk losing your state of grace by receiving sacrilegiously," the Rev. Joseph Illo, pastor of St. Joseph's, wrote in a letter dated Nov. 21.

The letter was sent to more than 15,000 members of the St. Joseph's parish. It is one of 34 parishes in the Stockton Diocese, which has more than 200,000 members in Stanislaus, San Joaquin and four other counties.

Illo also delivered this message in a homily.

Obama's support of abortion rights angered many Catholics nationally during the campaign, and Illo's letter, while the first in Central California from a priest to his parishioners on the topic, is not the first nationally.

A Greenville, S.C., priest told parishioners earlier this month that those who voted for Obama risked placing themselves "outside of the full communion of Christ's church" by their vote.

That priest's action was supported by his diocese, the Diocese of Charleston, S.C., which said the priest was simply asserting church teaching

Continued here. Seems as if the church is fighting a rear guard action. Making sure that Catholics dont vote for Obama again, or any other err, such unworthy candidate. Interesting. Why did the majority of Catholic voters go against the Church's 'advice'?

And would kind of be interesting to know whether this, err, pushing of politics into the pulpit will be taken by the 54%!

gug

Of Mortal Sins

Hmmmmm!

What do you think of this? Apparently, a catholic priest has told his parishioners not to take Holy Communion if they dared to vote for Obama as president. Fact, here it is.

Reason? Obama is pro-choice, and there was a ‘viable’ pro-life choice in McCain.

Reminds me, during the campaigns, I asked a colleague at work whether she was all excited about Obama. The answer was a definite NO.

Why? Obama is pro-life… Or supports abortion.

Errr, I am sure nevender would agree… one cannot be gay and a Christian! Eh? Logic can be a very beautiful thing. The fact that what we believe is logical is actually a percept of our faith.

Friday evening is beautiful. Have a great weekend.

GayUganda

A Very, Very Brave Priest.

But then, he is gay. When one embraces his or her sexuality, bravery has to be somewhere in that equation.

Stand against Prop. 8 costs priest dearly

Father Geoffrey Farrow is removed from his Fresno post after a sermon against the anti-same-sex marriage measure.

By Duke Helfand and Catherine Saillant, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

October 13, 2008

A week ago, Father Geoffrey Farrow stood before his Roman Catholic parishioners in Fresno and delivered a sermon that placed him squarely at odds with his church over gay marriage.

With Proposition 8 on the November ballot, and his own bishop urging Central Valley priests to support its definition of traditional marriage, Farrow told congregants he felt obligated to break "a numbing silence" about church prejudice against homosexuals.

"How is marriage protected by intimidating gay and lesbian people into loveless and lonely lives?" he asked parishioners of the St. Paul Newman Center. "I am morally compelled to vote no on Proposition 8."

Then Farrow -- who had revealed that he was gay during a television interview immediately before Mass -- added a coda to his sermon.

"I know these words of truth will cost me dearly," he said. "But to withhold them . . . I would become an accomplice to a moral evil that strips gay and lesbian people not only of their civil rights but of their human dignity as well."

On Thursday, Fresno Bishop John T. Steinbock removed Farrow, 50, as pastor of the St. Paul Newman Center, which primarily serves students and faculty at Cal State Fresno.

"Your statement contradicted the teaching of the Catholic Church and has brought scandal to your parish community as well as the whole Church," Steinbock wrote in a disciplinary letter that also admonished Farrow against "using the Internet as a means of continuing your conflict with the Church's teaching."

The priest also was stripped of his salary and benefits, and ordered to stay away from all church communities he had served.

Farrow's comments at the end of the Oct. 5 Mass have left his congregation bitterly divided.

On Sunday, some parishioners praised Farrow's courage for defending the rights of gays and lesbians, while others condemned him for challenging church doctrine without giving warning.

"It upsets me that we are allowing a ballot proposition to come into our church and divide us," said Teresa Huerta, who teaches at Cal State Fresno. "We are going through changes right now in society and the church needs to recognize that."

Frank Gallegos, a parishioner for 24 years, said he was dismayed that Farrow used the pulpit to deliver his message.

"He ambushed us," Gallegos, 44, said while leaving the white concrete-block church with his wife and two children. "I don't wish him ill. I just wish he hadn't done it during Mass."

Parish leaders concluded two morning Masses on Sunday with an apology to parishioners.

Farrow's statements, they said, were not in accord with church teachings. Also, the priest did not inform church elders about his plans before delivering his sermon, said Deacon John Supino, who read a letter from Steinbock reaffirming the Catholic Church's support for Proposition 8.

Quoting Steinbock, Supino said the church teaches that sex is a gift from God to be acted on only by a man and a woman within marriage. But Proposition 8, he insisted, does not represent a condemnation of gays or lesbians.

"The teachings of the church on these matters did not arise with Proposition 8 but have been in place for over 2,000 years," Supino said.

Several parishioners inside the church applauded when Supino finished Steinbock's statement. A few rose and left as he was reading it.

Katherine Allison, 46, hurried out of the church at the end of the 11 a.m. Mass with her 14-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. She said she didn't want to stay to hear the bishop's letter.

Allison said her entire family liked Father Geoff, as he was known. He taught a Bible history class Tuesday nights and seemed to be passionate about his work, she said.

"There is nothing to apologize for," she said. "God tells us to speak the truth, and that's what he did."

Farrow became a priest 23 years ago, working in parishes in Visalia, Merced, Bakersfield and the nearby town of Arvin. A graduate of St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, he also served as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve at Edwards Air Force Base near Palmdale in the early 1990s.

Farrow, who said he realized that he was gay in boyhood, revealed his sexual orientation only to close friends and family. He told his parents just four years ago.

"This was the secret I was going to take to my grave," he said.

That changed when he received a June 30 "pastoral letter" from Steinbock's office in which the bishop condemned the California Supreme Court's ruling in May that legalized same-sex marriage, and supported the passage of Proposition 8, calling marriage between a man and woman the "foundation blocks for society." He compared the court's action to efforts by Nazi Germany and the Communist regimes in Russia and China to alter family arrangements.

"Let us pray for our Christian marriages and our Christian families, and for our children who will be subjected to brainwashing in our public school system regarding this matter," he wrote.

Steinbock's letter threw Farrow into a moral quandary, he said, and prompted his sermon.

"At what point do you cease to be an agent for healing and growth and become an accomplice of injustice?" he asked.

Farrow said he knew his comments would generate an uproar. He started to pack up his office the night before his address. He cleared his belongings from the church rectory within hours of greeting parishioners after church services. He left town so quickly that he was unable to find one of his two cats.

He drove to Los Angeles, where he is staying with friends. Farrow sent Steinbock a letter last week saying that he would resume his pastoral duties unless he heard otherwise.

But in his disciplinary letter, Steinbock said Farrow had abandoned his assignment without offering to discuss the issues. Steinbock said he had no choice but to suspend Farrow, and he hinted that other penalties could follow, including defrocking him. Steinbock did not return calls.

The Anglican Schism

Ha,

At last it seems to have happened. The Anglican Communion is split over homosexuality.

Anglican church schism declared over homosexuality - Telegraph
Hardline church leaders have formally declared the end of the worldwide Anglican communion, saying they could no longer be associated with liberals who ...

What should I feel?

I was raised an ‘anglican’, though in Uganda, they are called ‘protestants’. I had a serious crush on religion, and fell in love for a while, even declaring for Pentecostals. Now, well, now I am seated on the fence, not willing to commit to any religion, proud of my stance. I have no religion.

It has been a tough journey.

Once, (documented on this blog), I used to show a bitterness to Christianity. Unmet expectations. Ideals that seemed hollow to me. I was embittered by rejection of my self, as I saw it. Supposed religious leaders constantly harping about and demonizing me because of my sexuality.

Sigh. It has been a long journey.

So, now that the Anglican fellowship is split. (The signs were there, from way back. They would not sit and eat with others from across the waters. That was a potent one.) And they have rejected us. Us as in homosexuals.

About a week ago, there was a talk show on WBS. One of the local TV stations. Topic was homosexuality, and the Church of Uganda’s response. I listened, in part because my lover wanted to listen to it. He is a Catholic, and very religious- (or he was, until the bitterness from his church drove him to my uncertain side.) A Bishop, and another. Discussing the evils of homosexuality. And how the Church of Uganda has responded.

‘What about homosexual Ugandans?’ the presenter had the audacity to ask. ‘Where do they go after you have rejected them like that?’

‘No, we are not chasing homosexuals out of the church.’ The bishop answered quickly.

‘Homosexuals are also welcome in church. They are also children of God’

Yeah, I thought. We are also children of God. But you will not eat with us. You will not care about us. You will hold demonstrations and form the ‘Inter-faith Rainbow Coalition against Homosexuality’. Just in response to our declaring that we are human and we are alive. And you will break from your family, because they have the love to accept us.

Now, now, now. I am becoming bitter.

Cant help it. Sometimes I feel as loved as when Kimbowa says, ‘I love you, you homosexual.’ I feel very loved. Once I asked a church mate of his, Stanislaus, to show his love by not calling me homosexual. After all, I am black, but to call me a nigger is an insult. Stanislaus could not stoop to calling me gay. So, he disappeared from the blog!

Why am I wandering?

Its my lover. He is very religious. And he has been hurt by all this, though he is a Catholic. He has actually taken some months without going to Mass.

Yesterday, someone sent us a book about Gay Catholics. How can one be both gay and Catholic?? One of the books chapter headings!
My lover, it was love at first sight. He is serious with his religion. But, for me, I am empty of that, and I have no idea how to fill that gap in him.

It has been a long journey. Still going on.

Wish I could help him more. But then, how can one who admits to no religion help someone who believes? My lack of faith does not hurt me. I have learnt that it does not hurt me. He is experiencing rejection from the faith that he had considered, and brought to think of as the bedrock of all faith.

I cannot help him, except by holding him in my arms.

There is still a long way to go.

A Gay Ugandan and Religion 2

Now, to the reason for my change of mind.

It is Lent. You know, Christian season for fasting and repentance and things like that. I usually know it because my lover tells me. He is into religion. I am not into it. My only concern is that he cannot (so we do not) eat meats on Friday during Lent. That is the extent of my observation of the season. Of course I do not go work on Easter. Stay in bed and sleep.

He is Catholic, and he does believe.

But he is also gay and Ugandan.

Last night he told me that he had got a priest that he could talk to. I listened, wondering why he was telling me.

Then he told me that he was going to talk to the priest about his sexuality. And he was asking me for permission.

I asked him why he thinks he has to ask me for permission. A shrug was the response.

I have not had a ‘catholic’ upbringing. He has. I know the issues of ‘confession’ and ‘counselling’. Frankly, they sound weird to me. And uncomfortable.

A few years back, my lover told me he wanted to go for confession. Telling a priest about us. I was well and truly horrified. Very uncomfortable. I campaigned for him not to, and he did not.

But he has a need for it.

We do not discuss religion. Ago, I was a deep sceptic, and hostile. That rubbed off onto him. But I cannot deny him his right to faith, and his right to believe. We do not talk about religion, but many are the times he used to leave me in bed to go to Mass. And he does want his connection, his spirituality.

I may not believe, but I do believe in his right to faith.

Unfortunately, in Uganda, the religions do not believe in the kuchus right to faith, any faith. Being homosexual and a believer is mutually exclusive in the mind of most Ugandans. The Mufti, leader of Moslems believes that we should be exiled and left to die on an island. The Catholic and Anglican leaders are in the ‘Rainbow Coalition against Homosexuality’. A group purposely formed to deny us of any rights, or ‘normalisation of homosexuality’ as Pastor Ssempa puts it.

I have made my peace with that, to my content. He has not. He believes, and believes deeply.

So, he has made an appointment, after years of putting it off. He is going to talk to a priest about his sexuality. Tell him that he is gay, and that he is living with a man.

Do I have a reason to be worried?

Sincerely, I do not know. I cannot understand the need. Though I accept that he wants to.

Told him that if he is counselled to break up with me, I will visit the priest with an axe and the intent to use it. He tells me not to worry.

But as he so frequently tells me, only one who is not concerned puts aside concern. So, I am –anxiously waiting for the results of the appointment with the priest.

GayUganda