Bishops “deeply concerned” about Ghana’s anti-LGBT Bill
The Church in Wales bishops are expressing their deep concern about a proposed law in Ghana which would penalise homosexual people.
In a statement issued today, they urge the bishops of the Anglican Church in Ghana to protect and cherish the LGBT+ community and warn that their support of the Bill may undermine a partnership link with the Church in Wales.
The full statement follows.
Bishops’ statement on Ghana Bill
The Church in Wales bishops are saddened and dismayed that it is reported our brother bishops in the Anglican Church in Ghana have signalled their intent to support their government’s Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values’ Bill.
We are deeply concerned about this Bill, believing that the consequences of it for members of the LGBT+ community run contrary to Christ’s call to love one another as he loves us. We assure our LGBT+ brothers and sisters of our solidarity, our support and our prayers, and call on the country’s Anglican bishops to protect and cherish them as beloved children of God.
We are aware that one of our Church in Wales dioceses, the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, has a partnership link with the Diocese of Asante Mampong in Ghana and we wish to see this strengthened, not least as we prepare to welcome a new bishop for Swansea and Brecon. Sadly, we see our brother bishops’ support for this Bill only undermining this valued link.
We join our voices with others who are urging our Ghanaian brother bishops to uphold their pastoral duty to protect and care for all God’s children, in line with the consistent statements by the Anglican Communion down through the years, such as the Primates’ Communique of 2005 which states that:
“The victimisation or diminishment of human beings whose affections happen to be ordered towards people of the same sex is anathema to us. We assure homosexual people that they are children of God, loved and valued by him, and deserving of the best we can give of pastoral care and friendship.” (Primates’ Communique, Dromantine, 2005)
The Bishop of Bangor, the Rt Revd Andy John
The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron
The Bishop of St Davids, the Rt Revd Joanna Penberthy
The Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt Revd June Osborne
The Bishop of Monmouth, the Rt Revd Cherry Vann