2) The Enduring Hypocrisy by GAFCON on care for the LGBTQ+ individual

 

This is going to be a 3 part examination of the GAFCON tribe of the Anglican Communion. They outed themselves, I am glad to have the data! Part 2.

~~~

So, when Welby, Archbishop and Primate of the Church of England wrote the letter to Kaziimba, Archbishop and Primate of the Church of Uganda. Continuing the saga of my analysis…, had the GAFCON primates promised pastoral care of LGBTQ individuals…?

I doubted it. The homophobia stinks from Kaziimba.., how could he, and the rest agree to that? But then, why are they acting so flustered, when Dr Welby quotes so? Did Dr Welby actually lie? What reason would he have to lie? This is what he said.

“the Primates of the Anglican Communion "condemned homophobic prejudice and violence and resolved to work together to offer pastoral care and loving service irrespective of sexual orientation."
We affirmed that this conviction arises out of our discipleship of Jesus Christ. We also “reaffirmed our rejection of criminal sanctions against same-sex attracted people” – and stated that “God's love for every human being is the same, regardless of their sexuality, and that the church should never by its actions give any other impression.””

I have gone through how Archbishop Kaziimba tries to lie and obfuscate, playing down the seriousness of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. Yeah, in answer to Archbishop Welby, Archbishop Kaziimba plain out defaults to the usual lies. Apparently, homosexuality was already criminal, and this act that the Church of Uganda supports with all their all didn’t do much…, except maybe .., criminalise the promotion of homosexuality.

“seem to think that the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 criminalizes homosexuality. It does not.
Homosexuality was already criminalized; it simply reaffirms what was already in the colonial-era penal code,”

He continues

“What is new is specifically outlawing the promotion of homosexuality”

Let us fact check the Righteous ‘Man of God’.
This is what Archbishop Kaziimba cheered on to the finish line; this is what ‘promotion of homosexuality’ must look like from Archbishop Kaziimba’s point of view: sending children to prison for having sex; life in prison, no parole for adults, the unrepentant homosexuals that Rev Laurent Mbanda cheers on; neighbour to report neighbour to the police with the reporting mandate, and of course the Death Penalty for us unrepentant homosexuals. Maybe the church will play a big part in ‘healing us’ as the state now empowers ‘rehabilitating the homosexual’.

Those links above get to the text of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. I dislike lies and obfuscation (unless am telling them). I don’t like presumed religious leaders telling lies.., acting like politicians.

Those are the beautiful things that Archbishop Kaziimba is defending and Rev Laurent Mbanda of GAFCON is co-defending. No wonder Dr Welby is daring to call him out, and GAFCON is playing the ‘colonialism’ card.

Amazing indeed. Dr Welby, just understand that revealing these things is not a good thing. We …, are…, incapable of admitting how correct you might be. We shall play the Colonialism card again. It is easy, it is within reach, and it obfuscates stuff that we don’t want to think about… We shall hold the Race Card close, ready to deal, anytime, any way. The Bible card.., well, always in play.

Sigh.., just wondering. What would the Nazarene have done? Food for thought, this week. What would the Nazarene have done?

 

gug

1) The Enduring Hypocrisy by GAFCON on care for the LGBTQ+ individual

 

This is going to be a 3 part examination of the GAFCON tribe of the Anglican Communion. They outed themselves, I am glad to have the data! Part 1.

~~~

Yes, I intentionally misspoke the title. Gafcon is the sub-tribe of Anglicans breaking from the Church of England and Wales. They claim they have 85% of all Anglicans, though the latter is the ‘Mother Church’.
Church politics. I would have zero interest in it.., except that I am kuchu, an LGBTQ+ individual, residing in a place they claim as their own. And, they are very, very powerful, temporally.

One of the GAFCON tribe, Archbishop Kaziinda, engineered the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 in Uganda. After it became law, with his enthusiastic support, the Church of England Primate, Archbishop Webley wrote a letter decrying the whole business. According to Archbishop Webley, this was not what they had agreed on, with regards to pastoral care of LGBTQ+ (Kuchu) individuals.

The GAFCON people hit back in a couple of letters. From the Primate of Uganda, Archbishop Kaziira who had engineered the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, and from The Most Rev. Laurent Mbanda, Chair of the Gafcon Primates Council.
No. They emphasized. They are NOT, and didn’t plan to be, Homosexual activists, or to promote LGBTQ+ rights.

Seems like a most embarrassing assertion, that the GAFCON primates would have a (pastoral) care for LGBTQ+ individuals..!
The tone of letters was interesting. And revelatory of what the GAFCON primates think.

Laurent Mbanda peppered the letter with scripture quotes. A most bible learned person. Fundamentalist, I must believe. Remember when the Nazarene cautioned to beware of those who pray loud in the public square to be seen and heard?

And he unhesitatingly pulled out the ‘Colonialism’ card.
Now, that is nasty.
And telling.

See, am an African. Colonialism, for most of us, was 60 years and more in the past. We have been independent and self governing over that time, only our elders actually remember the colonial times. We tend to bring out that particular card as a red herring and distraction.., our answers (we feel) will be lacking substance. It is a card played in near desperation..! In actual fact, when I saw that particular card, I went back to Dr Welby’s letter. It must have some clue. I accessed it, and read it for answers.
Is it possible that the substance of what he wrote was true? Did the GAFCON primates actually consent to these things?

“Anglicans around the world have long been united in our opposition to the criminalisation of homosexuality and LGBTQ+ people. Supporting such legislation is a fundamental departure from our commitment to uphold the freedom and dignity of all people. There is no justification for any province of the Anglican Communion to support such laws: not in our resolutions, not in our teachings, and not in the Gospel we share.”

The very defensiveness from GAFCON seems to imply there is something there. Still, it is amazing.
The Church of Uganda has rabidly painted itself the most homophobic entity in Uganda. Last time, in 2014, we had Martin Ssempa, leading demonstrations on the streets of Kampala, Jjinja, Mbarara, showing gay porn in church and other public venues. He was the face of the religious anti-gay thrust.

This time, 2023, it was the Rt. Rev. Dr. Steven Kaziimba, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, who hands down takes the title chief homophobe. Did he really accept a document that would necessitate giving a little bit of love and pastoral care to the Kuchu?

Unbelievable? Yes. Unbelievable.

But, apparently Dr Welby has the data and ink. And the GAFCON people’s defensiveness is instructive.

 

gug

Un-christ-like Christians, Death Penalty Hypocrisy

Un-Christ-like ‘Christians’ indeed. Well, though I have to assert that I am not a Christian, I grew up with bible lore.., and it is hard to think the Nazarene who taught ‘love your neighbour as you love yourself’ would wink and nod at the Death penalty and life in prison, no parole for my sinful heart. I have a feeling the Nazarene would actually be washing my sinner’s feet. But, that is me.

The Primate of the Anglican church in Uganda, the Most Rev Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Uganda to give him his full titles is in a political fight with his Church of All England brother. It has been below the surface, the enmity one of the main drivers of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 motivation. But, it was all sort of below the surface, known, unacknowledged.

Last week, everything spilt out, in all-out war, naked, for us to see the ugly insides of the Schism in the Anglican Communion.

In the spill occurring, a curious fact emerged. The Primate of All England challenged the Ugandan Primate about the Death Penalty support. Apparently the Anglicans had decided not to support the Death Penalty.., and colour me surprised that Church of Uganda (nominally) doesn’t support the Death Penalty

But, in actual fact, Kaziimba Mugalu and the Church of Uganda support the death penalty. Especially for ‘homosexuals’. Their non-support is just a matter of words; and they are apologists for the death penalty.
The contortions through which they have gone through to justify the Death Penalty in the Anti-Homosexual Act 2023 are fit for a politician…, not a church man, in my biased opinion, of course.

Kaziimba Mugalu says that the death penalty was in the old penal code for sodomy…, I think that is a lie. [See, Kaziimba believes he will not be fact checked.] . But hey, I am a Ugandan homosexual, I am an interested party.., so, check and see.

The Primate of the Church of Uganda says they don’t support the Death Penalty “but”.
There is the “but”.

He is a Death Penalty apologist. He believes that since he thinks it was in the old penal code of colonial descent, it should naturally make its way into the current Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. More than 60 years post independence. This is the guy who is raging and gnashing and shouting about the All England Primate acting like colonialism has never ended. Clear double standards, the hypocrisy is breath-taking.

Kaziimba Mugalu, through leadership of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, personally was involved in the introduction of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 in Uganda’s parliament. Admittedly the bill didn’t have the Death Penalty provision, but his actions afterwards showed his true colours.

From the time that Uganda’s Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality bill, to the time that the President signed it into law, Kaziimba Mugalu was at the forefront of the pressure to have the Death Penalty Bill into law. Oh yes, he definitely knew then that it was a Death Penalty Bill.
Sundays in the pulpit over the Easter season, he begged, cried, shouted and literally did his all, pressuring for the Presidential signature on the bill.

And once it was an Act of the Law, Kaziimba’s fawning thanks to the President have been noted. Fawning thanks.
Which begs the question, what has been so personal about this for him? I think it is leadership of the schismatic Anglican Communion. Not sure, but…! A fight this tough premises selfish political gains, almost always!

So, challenged by the Church of All England Primate, Kaziimba Mugalu, as a literal aside, says the Church of Uganda doesn’t support the Death Penalty…, and as a true apologist, there was the “but”.

Un-Christ-like indeed. If that is love, what is the definition of hate?
Being an unbeliever, I define the person who wants death and prison for life for me and mine as a hater. And, I doubt anyone else would reasonably challenge that definition. Church of Uganda; un-christ-like ‘Christians’ indeed.

 

gug

Uganda’s Lying and Hypocritical Churchmen

Yes, I keep harping on this topic, because it keeps ringing with truth.

So, with the Catholic Church in Uganda hobbled by the reigning Pontiffs opposition to the criminalisation of a ‘sin’, the Church of Uganda, Anglican, led the charge to deepen the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ Ugandans. Yeah, we were criminalised. But, according to the holy churchmen, [and it is usually mainly the men, not the women], it was simply not enough.

For the Anglican church, the issue is political, at the very least. They want to break away from their ‘mother church’, the Church of England, and lead the ‘South’, or GAFCON, whatever. In their quest for political power in the church, the dear leaders are telling lots and lots of lies. At least one of them is not that they dearly wanted the Act. Yeah, they have been leading prayers and supplications for the President to sign the Bill into the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. They left the obfuscation and silence to their brothers (no sisters) in the Catholic Church in Uganda. The Church of Uganda Primate and other leaders have been very, very loud, in advocating for Death and Life Imprisonment (no parole) for the Homosexual Ugandan.

So, the Primate of the Church of England at last leaves his ‘brotherly’ silence at the backstabbing brothers of the Church of Uganda, and releases a suitably horrified statement.

It is the reply from his brother in Uganda that is a nonsensical sleight of words very fitting for a politician. Here I will quote.

says the Primate of Uganda, Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, "homosexuality is currently a challenge in Uganda because it is being forced on us by outside, foreign actors against our will, against our culture, and against our religious beliefs".
"The African way" is a "lifelong, heterosexual, monogamous marriage", he added.”

 

Okay. I call out the bullshit. BULSSHIT, Mr Stephen Kaziimba. And, you are telling lies, and you know that they are lies. I will list them.

·         Again, and again, and again, because it is necessary, we LGBTQ+ Ugandans and Africans do assert that we are AFRICAN. WE ARE UGANDAN.
Lying that we are not is very stupid, because we are as African as Kaziimba is, and trying to erase our sexuality is stupid. It is an easily debunked lie. We simply are. African. Ugandan.

The African way indeed. BULLSHIT

·         The African way is POLYGAMY. Even after the coming of the white man colonialist with his religion.

·         The coming of the white man colonialist with his religion happened less than 150 years ago. That does not make your religion the African Religion, Mr Kaziimba.
[True, I really don’t like religious leaders in Africa claiming their religion as ‘African’. They are trying to erase our very identity of African, replacing it with the religions of colonisation! Talk about neo-colonialism.]

·         Mr Kaziimba’s predecessor as Church of Uganda Primate, Stephen Ntagali is reported to have had another family on the side. A family which Ntagali’s clan would embrace, even though the Church threw him out for his ‘sin’.

·         Mr Kaziimba, touting "lifelong, heterosexual, monogamous marriage", when as the African way gives lie to the reality on the ground.

I don’t come from an exceptionally different African family. We boast a male patriarch, [married in church of course], with at least four ladies, my mother’s co-wives as they are termed, and I do have numerous half brothers and half sisters. All of them are my siblings. That is the African Way. And most of my age mates boast this reality on the ground.
Former Archbishop Stanley Ntagali’s family came out because of issues of child support. But, this is the norm in Uganda…, not something exceptional!

Oh, and divorce…, dude, I would count on my hands families that boast the ‘western’ myth couple ‘for ever and ever’.
It is not an African myth, that. It is a European bed time story that you are trying to tie us too.

Hypocritical, indeed, Mr Kaziimba, Primate of the Church of Uganda, Anglican of the GAFCON fraternity. the hypocrisy is indeed stunning. But, it is what is taken for politically correct speech, that kind of hypocrisy in Uganda.

Hypocrisy. From Uganda’s Churchmen. Hypocrisy and lies..!

 

gug

Gay Bishop of the Church of England?

So, it was not to be.

I was pushing, pushing, pushing in my own way... grin... but, what I did want was not to be. Sorry about that. Aluta continua. Yes, the struggle continues, whether it is in the field of politics, basic right to life, religion, and others.

Members of the Crown Nominations Commission, which includes Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, rejected calls for Dr Jeffrey John to be made the next Bishop of Southwark.

The Dean of St Albans, who is in a civil partnership with another priest, was on the shortlist for the post and was considered to be a front-runner for the job.

David Cameron had been made aware of his nomination and is believed to have been supportive of promoting the homosexual cleric.

However, a secret meeting of senior Church figures has decided to overlook Dr John amid fears that his consecration would have provoked a split in the Church.

There is some interesting insight in what occurred here at the Changing attitude blog.

Of course it is betrayal... ha ha ha. We will always fight that fight, and ask, beg, demand of our allies to treat us as human beings equal to every one else. Yes, even when we do differ in some things. Small things like our sexuality!!!!

Still with Britain, seems a Supreme Court ruling has decided that it is unconscionable to tell gay asylum seekers from countries like Uganda that they can weather the homophobia at home.

Don't know what to feel about that... except being glad. I know, many like MP Nsaba-Buturo taunt us that we should ask for asylum and leave their beautiful Uganda pure. That the anti-homosexuality bill was aimed at that more than anything else, to make sure that the country was untainted by us crazy people.... but, on the other hand, I am also a crazy person who despite all is determined to stay in this country of mine...

But, I am not all gay Ugandans. Nor would I be able to find anything but happiness that others who are like me are able to get relief in Britain when they are persecuted at home. Here is the story.

Supreme court judges predicted that "more and more" gay and lesbian refugees are likely to seek protection in Britain after a landmark legal ruling recognised the rights of asylum seekers.

Five supreme court justices said gay and lesbian asylum seekers should not be expected to "exercise discretion" in their home countries to avoid persecution. Their ruling met with cheers and applause from campaigners.

But the Home Office moved to dampen claims from anti-immigration groups that the ruling could lead to a massive expansion of asylum claims from "millions of people around the world".

For the sceptics, know why it would not lead to thousands claiming gay refugee status? It is because even when out of the country, we maintain links with home. And, one of the hardest thing to do is to come out as 'gay', especially in Uganda, and much of Africa. It means that few except those who are gay (and have burnt bridges homewards) would actually dare to risk being known as pariahs. Even with the confidentiality clauses in law cases.

Hope your day has been good.

gug

Round Up: Update

A Story from Spain. Is this what is coming to Uganda?

In 1976, at the age of 17, Mr Ruiz, from Valencia, told family members that he was gay. At the time homosexuality was still banned and when his parents confided in a Catholic monk, he denounced their son to the authorities.

He was sentenced to three months in prison and was then banished from his home town for a further year.

------

Not even cockroaches? From a Reverend of the Church of Uganda. Here is the story....

Man of God backs govt against gays

STEPHEN OTAGE

Kampala

A senior member of the Anglican Church has thrown support behind the government move in a bid to phase homosexuality out of the country.

Rev. Michael Esakan Okwi said on Friday that not even “cockroaches” who are in the “lower animal kingdom” engaged in homosexual relations.

“What about the human being who was made in God’s image?” he asked at the funeral service in All Saints Cathedral - Kampala for Tom Omongole, the former Resident District Commissioner of Bukedea.

Rev. Okwi also lectures Theology and Philosophy at the Uganda Christian University. The law prescribes a seven-year jail term for gay sex and a death penalty for certain types of offences like homosexual rape.

Know what, the Episcopal Church wants another gay Bishop. Good for them. Know who comes up against this, within 24 hours? Cantebury. A few people wonder why the support of the COU for death of gays is not condemned, after more than a month, but, well,.... Hypocrisy? I will not comment. But, check out Ekklesia. And, commentary on the issue. Here too. And, why not. A leader is supposed to lead. When they dont, or are hypocritical, why then, you point it out.

The not even Cockroaches thing has made me lose my blogging strength. Go off to something else more productive. Rather than being so angry that some 'man of god' thinks I am shit.

I am not. So, I am ok.

Not even Cockroaches? Know what they Hutu who killed the Tutsi in the Rwandese genocide used to call them? The rallying cry was to go out and 'kill cockroaches'. Dehumanise, then it is easy to do something that is despicable to a human being. Because, they are no longer like you.

gug

PS; How many times have I mentioned here that the COU officially has no position on the bill, but unofficially is preaching homophobia these Sundays?

Salute!

Hey,

So, here I was this morning, with no internet connection. But, I also realised that it was a blessing in disguise. I am too involved in this mess. And, when I pull back to relax, I realise that when it passes, life will be much, much harder. And, my very life, and that of my partner depends on it.

So, I work myself into a depression and hopeless funk. And, I have to relax. But I cant. Untill, well, the blessing in disguise. No internet, for some time.

But, I have to thank some people.

The Episcopal Church in America has come out to denounce the bill. Officially. Good of you. Great of you. And please, stop reacting to the 'colonial' card. Call out your Ugandan brothers and sisters to their very, unChristian behaviour. Yes, you can influence them. Because, your humanity is contrasted against their hate and inhumanity.

Thanks, Episcopal Church. Thanks, Presiding Bishop.

Now, someone there, give Cantebury a nudge and tell him to stop reacting to the plain old colonialism and racist card. Call your brothers and sisters to heel. And, remember that, your influence does not need to be making your brothers withdraw the bill. There are other benefits! Check this analysis.

Shame them. Like here. The Gospel according to hate. Know what, it is a matter of fact that, the holier than thou attitude of these people is very nicely punctured by their support of this horrible bill. Because, now that they have the time to read it, they know it is horrible. But, crucify them. Wrong choice of words. Just nail them on their own....!

The US State department has released a guidance. Why are strangers kinder to me than my own people?

The despicable Scott Lively has justified trying to force me into treatment, and, the genocidal tendencies of my country people. No. I am not linking to him.
Basically, he says that, since, long ago in medieval times, the death penalty was dealt out by a despotic, demi-god status king, we modern day Ugandans are simply following our real feelings. I would use the same rope to hang Lively and Ssempa. No need to clean it, between the hangings...

Hey, I dont need to pretend to be Christian to Christians who are acting barbaric, do I?

Well, Bahati has gained fame. Or, infamy?

He has an editorial dedicated to his powers of deduction. In the Guardian of UK. Uganda; Unjust and Infamous. I will celebrate the editorial, while being patriotic enough to cry at the bashing in the international press that we are getting. For nothing other than our stupidity. Bite me, it is my country....!

Sigh, once upon a time, I thought we were perfect. Proud of being Ugandan.

Now?

I will cring. But, remind you all that no country is perfect. Mine, at the moment, seeks to kill me. I will make it as hard as possible for them. But, it still is my country.

And, to hell with the Buturos who demand that we go out of the country. I will continue shaming them.

I am taking a breather. I will not have internet access for a number of days. Dont know how long. So, I may not be posting as regularly as I would love to.

Please keep up the pressure. Yeah, I am burning down, and out, but, I will come back. Keep up the pressure. And, thanks for all that you are doing on my behalf.


gug

Appeasing the Un-Appeasable.

You know, reading through the anti-homosexual bill, and hearing some of the statements that are made by well meaning friends of Uganda about working with the homophobes here, I kind of wonder whether this policy really ever works.

I mean, a bully is a bully. Try to appease him or her in anyway, and they just grow stronger.

Take the schism of the Anglican Church. The Episcopal Church in America has been making a stand on the humanity of gay people, of gay Christians. And, the 'fundamentalists' those who follow 'biblical' Christianity have been on the offensive, accusing the others of being less than Christian. They have made such a lot of fuss that the Church of England has been bending over backwards, trying to accomodate what the fundamentalists believe is what is right. Trying to shut out their shouts of what is conscionable.

Now, here comes the Anti-Homosexual Bill in Uganda.

To think that it is only about Uganda is to miss the bigger picture. No. I am not talking about the American right, and the influence of the 'Family'.

I am thinking of yet another time when the Church is leaning over backwards, not daring to stand on its stated principles, when a blatantly genocidal bill is set on the table.

Reason does not work. No. It does not. I listened on as Sylvia Tamale savaged the Bill. But, that logic didnt matter. Her speech is here. All the weight of her reasoning, the fact that she was a lawyer explaining the law to an accountant, this didnt matter.

So, what does it mean?

Do the Americans and British Anglicans really think they have much in common with the Anglicans of Uganda who are going around supporting this bill in the name of 'Biblical Christianity'? Do you really think that you are still in the wrong, and the Africans, because they are many, are right? What commonalities do you have with the Bishop of Karamoja, diocese of the Church of Uganda, who wrote this blatantly ignorant and hate filled sermon?

Where will the appeasement, the bending over, the effort to be 'politically correct' end?

When will you stand up to your principles?

See, being liberal, seeing the other point of view can be a huge pain, especially when you dont have the guts to stand up to what is right in your point of view.

NB; The writer of this post is, (1) a Ugandan (2) Not Christian (3)African. And, more importantly (4) is gay.

So, of course I am biased.

I hope that does not act like a huge log in your saintly eyes.

gug

----

PS

as to the countries, well- the US, Britain, France, Canada, they have all come out with negative positions on the bill. Of course this has been because of the agitation of their people.

But, think of the Commonwealth. On what principles does it stand?

I am no politician. Am too much of a maverick (ha ha ha!) to be constrained by the desires and aspirations of the masses. So, maybe I dont know what real politik is. But, I know sense when I see it. And, I recognise why we humans truly yearn for that leader who will lead us with the common sense and unity that even our fragmented sense of common sense recognises as truthful.

But, I am talking of an angel, not a human being...

So, we shall take the countries out of the equation.

But, not the church. No. Definitely not those who tout their moral leadership. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED. IT IS TIME. SPEAK YOUR MIND, TRULY.

gayuganda