The Church of Uganda has abandoned a decision by its mother Church of England to bless same-sex unions.
The synod (their top governing body) on Thursday endorsed plans to let priests offer blessings to same-sex couples, ending a protracted internal debate of up to six years by divided Anglicans.
They decided to allow clergy to preside at blessings of Same-sex unions and approved supplemental prayers and liturgies for such occasions.
A total of 250 bishops, clergy, and laity supported the reforms, 181 opposed, and 10 abstained to vote at the Synod gathering in central London.
They also voted to allow blessings for civil marriages or civil partnerships in a church.
However, the Church of Uganda has vehemently opposed the move as hypocritical and 'shameful'.
Responding to the church of England on Friday 10, February 2022, Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba, the Archbishop of Church of Uganda says the church is giving contradictory statements, supporting gay couples who are already considered “married” by the British government.
He says although the church has not changed its doctrine of marriage, being a union between a man and one woman, it makes no difference in welcoming gays to church.
Kazimba says the Church of Uganda will only follow the teachings in the bible that prohibit all other sexual relations outside marriage between husband and wife for procreation.
"The Bible in the book of Genesis to the last page of the Bible in the book of Revelation, a family is defined as one man and one woman united in holy matrimony for life and, God willing, a union that produces children. Whether it is adultery, fornication, polygamy, or homosexual relationships. They are all sin and they all separate us from God." Kazimba said on Friday
Kazimba clarifies that it is a sin for anyone to have sex before marriage, have an extramarital affair "side dish" or even be a homosexual.
"That means sleeping with your girlfriend or your boyfriend before marriage is a sin, if you are married with a “side dish,” that is a sin, if you take a second or third wife that is a sin too," he explains
Kazimba has also cautioned parents and school-going children to be aware of well-funded Gay organizations that are recruiting our children into homosexuality in Kampala and across the country.
"To our youth – if someone invites you to a function and offers you a big transport refund, those are probably bad people. Say “No” to it. And, if you have already been exploited or abused by such groups, please go to your Bishop for prayer, support, and guidance. You will be received with love and compassion." he said
