The Church of Uganda has a new archbishop, but Stephen Kazimba Mugalu made it clear his position on homosexuality will be no different than his predecessors Henry Luke Orombi and Stanley Ntagali.
The new Church of Uganda Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu yesterday started his tenure in a colourful ceremony at Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala and made fresh vows never to accept gay marriages in the church.
Archbishop Kaziimba [Magula] said the church shall continue to emphasise heterosexual marriages as the lifelong, exclusive bond between one man and one woman for procreation as reflected in the Bible.
“…the trend in the Western world and some Anglican churches in those contexts are being pressured into doing this, including our mother church of England. But for us in Uganda, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” said the prelate shortly after receiving the episcopal authority from his predecessor Stanley Ntagali, who retired at 65 years.
Emphasis added. The Church of England, in fact, does not recognize marriage equality. It does, however, maintain relations with provinces that do. It is true that same-sex spouses of bishops are not included in Lambeth 2020.
Chair of the Primates Council of Gafcon and Archbishop of ACNA, Foley Beach, delivered the sermon. ACNA is not a part of the Anglican Communion.
“You have been a bright light for the world. You said no to disobeying the word of God, you said no to immorality, many wish their leaders would be like you…thank you for your boldness and your example,” Archbishop Beach told the congregation.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England, Justin Welby witnessed the Archbishop Magula’s enthronement. He “emphasised the aspect of seeking forgiveness irrespective of our differences.”