Breaking: Executive Council to discuss Ugandan situation
A special session of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has been called to discuss the church's position on the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" currently before the Ugandan Parliament. The meeting will be conducted via conference call on the afternoon of December 7, according to numerous sources.
Special sessions of Executive Council can be called by the Presiding Bishop or, as in this instance, by a petition signed by at least nine members of the council.
Council members have been discussing the Ugandan issue informally among themselves for more than a month. Some members of the council were eager for the church to join 17 human rights organizations and the Anglican Church of Canada in condemning the bill, while others argued that such action would do more harm than good.
In a news release issued earlier today, calling on Anglican leaders to oppose the Ugandan legislation, the Chicago Consultation noted that the bill "proposes the death penalty for 'aggravated homosexuality' and life imprisonment for touching another individual with homosexual intent.
"Belonging to a gay organization, advocating gay rights and providing condoms or safe-sex advice to gays and lesbians could result in a seven-year prison sentence," the release continued. "Failing to report violations of the law within 24 hours would be punishable by a three-year prison term. In contravention of international law, the new legislation would also apply to Ugandans living in other countries."
The provincial secretary of the Anglican Church of Uganda initially supported the bill, but advocated that the death penalty provision and extradition provisions be removed. More recently, the Church has said it has no position on the bill.
Further details, including perhaps a listening-only call-in number may be forthcoming.
Joining with other Human Rights groups might do more harm than good? Because somehow that could make it worse in Uganda or Nigeria for that matter?
Is some of that attitude linked to the fact that the Anglican Observer at the UN is Ugandan? I would have some sympathy for that, but otherwise, since the Global South has claimed an active seat at the table, then they need to be prepared to take the same sort of judgments they seem to freely dish out.
Posted by Michael Russell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 20, 2009 6:15 PM
¨Some members of the council were eager for the church to join 17 human rights organizations and the Anglican Church of Canada in condemning the bill, while others argued that such action would do more harm than good.¨ Executive Council
WHAT MORE HARM IS THERE THAN LEGALLY MURDERING LBGT ANGLICANS/OTHERS IN UNGANDA?
May I remind us that we haven´t been exactly SUCCESSFUL with ignoring the brutal hate crimes in ENGLAND (including Liverpool during Lambeth Conference...ignored by the ABC and York), JAMAICAN HOSPITALITY FOR THE AAC MEETING (LGBT MURDER CAPITOL OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE...ignored by attendees and the ABC/York) and beyond...one might even say that Lambeth 1.10 ¨did more harm than good¨ thanks to Lord Carey of Clifton and his sloppy Lambeth Conference leadership...just WHO is everyone afraid of?
Quit politicing at the Anglican Communion and SAVE LIVES in NIGERIA, JAMAICA and UGANDA!
Start ¨second guessing¨ TEC ¨prudent¨ approach to speaking out against the proposed, and real, murdering LGBT worldwide!
A CONFERENCE CALL? No eyeball to eyeball on this important issue? Get the funds, fire someone dispensible at 815!
Isn´t the December timing about the same date as ¨Part 4 ACC Steering Committee Meeting¨ on The Anglican Communion Covenant?
NO, We do not support being punished for allowing LGBT Christians to live within our families, friendships and our Church fellowship and all level of religious ¨calling.¨ NOR do we support being punished for allowing marginalized Christians a place at the Communion Rail in Uganda or Newport Beach, California!
It´s not that hard, just do the right thing and stop remaining silent about IMPORTANT/DEADLY pogroms promoted at Church!
Posted by Leonardo Ricardo![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 20, 2009 6:42 PM
Well, it's about time!
If we don't speak out on this issue, everything else we say on human rights is just pious drivel.
Posted by Mary Caulfield![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 21, 2009 9:05 AM
I have been waiting and wondering when, if ever, my church would find the moral high ground and take action. How could anything we do possibly make what is happening in Uganda and Nigeria, for that matter, worse than people being hunted down, arrested, tortured, imprisoned and killed? That Bishops in our own Anglican Communion are not speaking out against this but, in some cases, are enabling it is beyond the pale. What are we waiting for? No one will have the classic excuse, "I didn't know," to fall back on.
Posted by Ro Ford![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 21, 2009 4:09 PM