Following on the statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury other church leaders in the Church of England have come out in opposition to the draconian anti-gay bill due for consideration by the Ghanaian parliament.
It’s not so clear to this reader that in all cases their opposition to the bill includes criticism of Ghanaian House of Bishops although the Guardian’s headlines its coverage “UK church leaders criticise Ghanaian bishops for support of anti-LGBTQ+ law”.
The Portsmouth Diocese senior staff issued a statement that includes a sharp rebuke of the Ghanaian bishops:
“As a diocese, we have long-standing, formal links with the Anglican Church in Ghana, which we value. However, we are dismayed to hear that the country’s Anglican bishops have thrown their weight behind the ‘Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values’ Bill.
“We are seeking urgent conversations with our colleagues in Ghana to ask why – not least in the light of the communique signed by all Anglican Primates in 2016, in which they pledged to reject criminal sanctions against members of the LGBT+ community, and to challenge homophobia.”
Several below endorse the Portsmouth statement.
The Guardian’s story includes these tweets:
I am gravely concerned by the draft anti-LGBTQ+ Bill due to be debated by the Ghanaian parliament. I will be speaking with the Archbishop of Ghana in the coming days to discuss the Anglican Church of Ghana’s response to the Bill.
My full statement: https://t.co/WcQMKzBseg
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) October 26, 2021
Ghana's proposed anti- LGBT legislation is unacceptable and must be resisted. It would promote fear and intolerance, putting the freedom of so many people under threat. We are all love equally by God. My prayers are with the LGBT community in Ghana at this time.
— BishopSarah (@bishopSarahM) October 26, 2021
I entirely share Bishop Sarah’s view that what is being proposed in Ghana is shocking and unacceptable. My prayers are with the LGBT community in Ghana and across the world. https://t.co/CBycQjOpjh
— Stephen Cottrell (@CottrellStephen) October 26, 2021
I support this statement from Portsmouth Diocese. https://t.co/bkPb1N3PFx pic.twitter.com/wkI5nvcPM1
— Paul Bayes (@paulbayes) October 26, 2021
Likewise. https://t.co/lywrbgsDYy
— John Inge (@BishopWorcester) October 26, 2021
The legislation proposed by Ghana is unacceptable. It will instil fear & mistrust. It proposes to imprison LGBT+ people for being who they are and goes against the love that God calls us to have for each other and has for us all. My prayers are with Ghana’s LGBT+ community. https://t.co/XlVZtP9y1g
— Bishop of Southwark (@BishopSouthwark) October 26, 2021
I support fully the Archbishop of Canterbury’s statement. As someone who has lived in Ghana, and knowing the gentleness, graciousness and generosity of its people, this proposed legislation is shocking and concerning, and I fear will lead to violence and fear-filled lives. https://t.co/ii5xRStebo
— Graham Usher (@bishopnorwich) October 26, 2021