In a public statement issued today, the Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, expressed his grief and dismay regarding the Church of Uganda’s endorsement of the Anti-Homosexuality Act. The Archbishop addressed his concerns in a letter to Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, the Primate of Uganda, emphasizing the need for reconciliation within the Anglican Communion and between their churches.
The Archbishop acknowledged the history of colonial rule in Uganda, recognizing the resilience of its people in resisting it. He clarified that his statement is not about imposing Western values on the Anglican sisters and brothers in Uganda but rather reminding them of the commitments Anglicans have made to treat every person with care and respect as children of God.
While disagreements persist within the Anglican Communion regarding matters of sexuality, the Archbishop stressed the importance of unity in upholding human dignity as bestowed by God. He reminded Archbishop Kaziimba that Anglicans worldwide have consistently opposed the criminalization of homosexuality and the discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals. Supporting legislation of this nature is seen as a significant deviation from the Anglican commitment to champion the freedom and dignity of all people.
The Church of Uganda, like many Anglican provinces, adheres to the traditional Christian teachings on sexuality and marriage outlined in Resolution i.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference. However, the Archbishop questioned the consistency of the Church of Uganda’s support for the Anti-Homosexuality Act in light of its own statements in support of Resolution i.10, which also emphasized pastoral care and condemnation of homophobia.
The Archbishop referenced the 2016 Primates Meeting in Canterbury, where the Anglican Communion’s Primates collectively condemned homophobic prejudice and violence. They committed to providing pastoral care and serving all individuals, irrespective of sexual orientation. The Primates explicitly rejected the use of criminal sanctions against same-sex attracted individuals and affirmed that God’s love for every human being remains constant regardless of their sexuality. The church’s actions should reflect this unwavering love.
These statements and commitments, according to the Archbishop, reflect the shared values of the Anglican Communion regarding the inherent dignity and worth of every person. Consequently, he called upon Archbishop Kaziimba and the Church of Uganda, a country and church he holds dear, to reconsider their support for the Anti-Homosexuality Act and reject the criminalization of LGBTQ people. The Archbishop also urged the leadership of GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) and the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) to publicly clarify that no Anglican province can support the criminalization of LGBTQ individuals.
