The Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed concerns about the anti-gay legislation currently before the Parliament of Ghana.
According to Most Rev. Justin Welby, he is “gravely concerned” by the proposed law which would impose tougher penalties on the LGBT community in Ghana.
“We are a global family of churches, but the mission of the church is the same in every culture and country: to demonstrate, through its actions and words, God’s offer of unconditional love to every human being through Jesus Christ,” he said.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury.
Already, the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Francis, has said that homosexuals should be allowed the freedom to live their lifestyle and have families.
The Anglican Church in England has been ordaining homosexual Bishops, a thing that the Anglican Church in Ghana does not allow.
Ghana’s Anglican community has not yet responded, however, it has made it clear that even though it does not support hatred for gay people, it condemns gay acts.
The Ghana Anglican Church has also supported the anti-Gay Bill which is being co-sponsored by eight MPs in Ghana’s Parliament, led by MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam George Nartey.
Recent research by a Civil Society Organization, Center for Democratic Development (CDD) revealed 93% of Ghanaians support the Bill which criminalizes Gay acts, relationships, support and advocacy.
But the Bill also makes provision for homosexuals and lesbians to receive corrective treatment.