Catholic Bishop Conference Speaks Against Anti-LGBTQ Bill: “We Should Not Criminalise Homosexuality

Catholic Bishop Conference Speaks Against Anti-LGBTQ Bill: “We Should Not Criminalise Homosexuality

  • The Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference has spoken against the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill in Ghana's Parliament
  • President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev Matthew Gyamfi, said the queer community should not be considered criminals
  • His comments come after Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson voiced opposition to treating homosexuality as a criminal offence

The Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference is seemingly not in support of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill in Ghana's Parliament.

President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, said that though the church does not condone LGBTQ+" activities, it also does not support it being considered a crime.

Catholic Bishops on LGBTQ bill
Ghana's Parliament has adopted the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill. Source: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

His comments come after Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson voiced opposition to treating homosexuality as a criminal offence.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, Most Rev Matthew Gyamfi said the catholic church did not support homosexuality being considered a crime.

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"It may be a moral aberration but does not rise to the level where homosexuals... are considered as criminals.”

He explained that though homosexual activities are considered a sin by the church, they do not rise to the level of being a crime.

Most RevMatthew Gyamfi also clarified that what the church has been fighting for is that homosexuality should not be legalised in Ghana.

On July 5, 2023, Ghana's Parliament adopted the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, which will criminalise LGBTQ activities in the country.

During the second reading of the private members' Bill, none of the legislators on both sides of the aisle opposed it.

US Ambassador Virginia Palmer warns Ghana could lose LGBTQ+ investors if proposed law is passed

YEN.com.gh has reported that the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, not long ago sent a warning to Ghana over a possible Anti-LGBTQ+ law.

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The ambassador said a potential anti-gay law could cause Ghana to lose investments from American companies.

Virginia Palmer urged Ghana to be more welcoming of members of the LGBTQ+ community in the country.

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.