Eject anti-gay Anglicans or keep a poisoner at dinner?
by Colin Stewart
Richard
Rosendall, president of the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of
Washington, D.C., appealed today to Archbishop of Canterbury Justin
Welby to denounce statements made by Anglican Archbishop Stanley Ntagali
at today's celebration of the new anti-gay law in Uganda. Rosendall
invited others to send similar emails to Welby at
contact@lambethpalace.org.uk.
Please denounce rally statements by Archbishop Ntagali
Stanley Ntagali, archbishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda
Dear Archbishop Welby:
I have been reading the Twitter feed from Ugandan gay rights leader Frank Mugisha on the rally held today in that country celebrating the Anti-Homosexuality Act.
One
of the speakers at the rally is Anglican Archbishop Stanley Ntagali. He
celebrated the Ugandan church's having cut ties ten years ago with the
Episcopal church in America over homosexuality. His statements, as
reported by Mugisha, include "Homosexuality is the devil's agenda in
Uganda," and "We have to be focused, without fear to fight the battles
facing us, battles facing our families."
Ntagali
is effectively endorsing persecution and murder. He should be expelled
from the Anglican Communion. Your predecessor was so afraid of schism
that he allowed the African bishops to behave disgracefully with no
consequences, and even pandered to their threats over the participation
of Americans at the Lambeth conference. But a problem like the
aggressive bigotry and inhumanity of the African bishops cannot be dealt
with by avoidance. What is the point of keeping someone at the table
who is poisoning the food?
Justin
Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury., in January called on leaders of the
whole church, as well as the presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, to
support and care for all people “regardless of sexual orientation.”
I
appreciate that you have publicly argued with Ntagali over the
treatment of gay people by the church. You have stated that some gay
couples have loving, stable, and monogamous relationships, and that we
deserve the "best pastoral care and friendship," but you still support
the Church of England's opposition to active homosexuality (that last
phrase is according to the BBC). I am sorry, but this will not do. To be
merely tolerated and told we must embrace lifelong celibacy is not
acceptance and is not humane. Our love and its expression are as good as
anybody else's. We are a threat to no one. We are entitled to equal
protection as citizens.
I
urge you at a minimum to denounce the participation and remarks by
Archbishop Ntagali at the anti-gay rally in Uganda, and not to put a
facade of unity before the rights of LGBT people whom some Anglican
leaders are persecuting.
I
have been in contact in recent days and weeks with persecuted and
hunted Ugandan friends. I am grateful to hear from them at all, as it
means they are still alive. Asylum efforts are not enough, because most
LGBT Ugandans will remain in their country, whose leaders avoid
addressing real problems in favor of scapegoating a minority. Words fail
in expressing my admiration and respect for Frank Mugisha, who holds
his head up and speaks out despite being in grave danger. Please add
your respected voice for decency in the face of this mounting horror.
Yours sincerely,
Richard J. Rosendall
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
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