Switzerland: Catholic bishop in ‘death to gays’ storm

Vitus Huonder, the controversial Catholic bishop of Chur in eastern Switzerland, has once again attracted criticism for quoting homophobic Bible passages and denouncing non-traditional family models att the “Joy in Faith” forum in the German city of Fulda. In his address, titled “Marriage – a gift, sacrament and order”, Huonder quoted various passages backing up his views. He also slammed gender theory, divorce, sex education and gay marriage. Regarding homosexuality, the bishop quoted from the book of Leviticus, including: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” 

In response to applause, he continued: “Both of these passages alone suffice to clarify unambiguously the church’s position on homosexuality”. In his opinion, the passages had implications for the definition of marriage and the family. “There is no diversity when it comes to marriage and family models,” he said. “Even speaking of family diversity is an attack on the Creator.” 

Swiss gay organisation Pink Cross said it was “shocked and angry” by Huonder’s comments, calling for a “public apology for the latest gaffe”. Pink Cross said it was looking into how such hate speech could be prosecuted, pointing out that representatives of the church do not live in a legal vacuum.  

The bishop later released a statement saying he regretted that his comments had been misunderstood and interpreted as contemptuous towards homosexuals. Read More

Israel: Jerusalem’s chief rabbi visits victim of gay pride parade stabbing

A few hours before Shabbat in Israel, Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern posted an arresting photograph on his Hebrew Facebook page. In it, the ultra-Orthodox cleric, in his full rabbinic regalia, is holding the hand of a victim of Jerusalem pride parade attack. Six people were initially reported as wounded, including a sixteen-year-old girl who who later died. The alleged assailant, Yishai Schlissel, was an ultra-Orthodox man who had previously served 10 years in prison for a similar crime in 2005.

At the hospital, Stern said, “The person that committed this sinful act is a criminal in every way, and his intention to kill Jews is something which is terrifying.”

Other ultra-Orthodox figures have also sharply condemned the attack. “The Torah of the Jewish people is the Torah of life, and the value of life is above everything,” said Moshe Gafni, head of ultra-Orthodox UTJ party. “The attempt to kill & injure is something severe which we utterly reject. [It] is opposed by Judaism, morality, Jewish law, and our path since we have been a people.” Read More  

Kenya: Church leaders praise President Kenyatta for his stand on gays

Church leaders have praised President Uhuru Kenyatta for his courage regarding homosexuality during a press briefing held at the State House, Nairobi with US President Barack Obama.

Speaking in Isiolo, Methodist Church of Kenya Presiding Bishop Rev Joseph Ntombura said as a church they were happy with the way President Kenyatta responded to the issue gays. Rev. Ntombura said the move by President Kenyatta was an assurance that he understands and respects the culture and religions of Kenyans. The bishop said homosexuality was against Kenyan culture and the Holy Bible adding that as a church they were not ready to be engaged in any talks regarding gay and lesbianism rights.

On his part the head of National Independent Church of Africa Eastern Diocese Bishop Stephen Karunyu said that the courage by President Kenyatta to respond to the 'gay matter' in front of Obama should be emulated by many who do not support such orientations. Read more

Paraguay: Married gay activist’s meeting with Pope was ‘very productive’

In a historic first, a married gay activist met with Pope Francis on Saturday — and walked away with a sense that the pope genuinely believes “dignity is for everyone.”  Simón Cazal, executive director of Paraguay LGBT group SomosGay, was among a delegation of 1,600 Paraguayan civil society leaders and members who met with the Holy See in Asunción.

 Although the pope did not directly address LGBT issues during his speech, Cazal told the Blade the pontiff “did mention others in which they are included.” “The pope’s speech was very productive,” Cazal added. “The local church insisted on talking about the family and other conservative issues… [But] he distanced himself from this discourse and highlighted diversity in its place.”   

The Paraguayan Episcopal Conference last month invited Cazal and other LGBT rights advocates to attend the meeting, though Cazal was the only one to accept the invitation.  Read More 

Nigeria: Chief Imam says gay sex is anti-human

A Chief Imam from Nigeria has condemned the acceptance of same-sex marriage by countries such as England, Ireland and the US, labelling it as anti-human. Sheikh Muhammad Khalid, the Chief Imam of Apo Legislators’ Quarters Jumat Mosque, made the comments in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, stating those pushing for same-sex marriage and the countries who had already approved it, were taking a stand “against humanity”.

“I will never support same sex marriage, because of my religion and I am sure that no religion in the world will support it,” he said. “It is against our culture as Nigerians, and against normal human life before the Almighty Allah.” Khalid said that no religion in the world should encourage homosexuality and praised former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for signing an anti-gay marriage bill into law. Read More

Malaysia: Transgender targeted as religious authorities' influence grows, LGBTI community says

Members of Malaysia's LGBTI community are speaking out about being violently attacked in the moderate Muslim nation, saying the abuse has become common as religious authorities push for more power.

"We have cases of transgender [people] that have been killed," said Mitch, a transgender man. "For us, we call it a hate crime. For the police they don't call it that, because for them these people are not recognised."

The rights of LGBTI people are largely unrecognised in Malaysia. Homosexuality as well as oral sex, sodomy and cross-dressing are illegal in both the criminal code and sharia law. Representatives of Malaysia's LGBTI community said the laws were largely unenforced in the past, but that had changed in recent years. Read More

US: An open letter to American Muslims on same-sex marriage

Reza Aslan is a writer and scholar of religions, and Hasan Minhaj is a comedian and correspondent on The Daily Show:

To Our Fellow American Muslims,

Hey there. It’s two of your brothers. We’re writing to you about the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage in all fifty states. The good news is that a whopping 42% of you support marriage equality, as do both of our Muslim elected officials in the United States Congress. One even serves as vice chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus! There are many faithful gay and lesbian Muslims in the US and we love and support all of them.

At the same time, many of you are scandalized by the ruling (we know because you keep tweeting about it), and many more of you are equally perturbed but have chosen to keep it to yourself. With all the rainbow-flag waving and self-congratulatory pats on the back this country is giving itself right now, you don’t need another reason for Americans to dislike you.

 Read More

Listen to an episode of BBC’s “World Have Your Say” devoted to Reza Aslan and Hasan Minhaj’s letter.

Mormon church facing growing pressure from within on LGBT rights

After the legalization of same-sex marriage, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has sought to continue its strong opposition to marriage equality. The Church released a statement on June 26: “The Supreme Court’s decision does not alter the Lord’s doctrine that marriage is a union between a man and a woman ordained by God. 

However, within the church, a number of Mormons have been advocating for LGBT equality – and see the ruling as a chance for a clean break from the church’s previous scaremongering. Mormons for Equality executive director Spencer W. Clark said: “It will take time to overcome and repent of our past, but as we’ve seen already, the more that we come to know same-sex couples and their children, the more we discover that our fears were misplaced. Mormons believe in the importance of families, and for increasing numbers of Mormons, that means all families.”

While it’s highly unlikely the Church will change its stance on same-sex marriage any time soon, its members in Mormons for Equality and Mormons Building Bridges represent a softer side of the religion. Read More 

Belgium: United Protestant Church of Belgium will accept homosexual pastors

The United Protestant Church of Belgium published a press release on stating that the EPUB now accepts homosexual pastors. The Protestant Synod decided it in an extraordinary assembly around the topic “Homosexuality and pastoral ministry”.

A work group wrote a recommendation that was sent to the local churches and then debated by districts before taking the decision in the Synod. The final decision was that homosexuality is not a criterion to exclude candidates for the ministry.

Pastor Steven H. Fuite, president of the EPUB, insists that the opinion of the Synod is only a “recommendation” and that no one is forced: “Every parish can choose the pastor they want”. The press release talks about unity in diversity. Mr. Fuite explains that this recommendation means that no parish can force their opinion into another. “The differences in our Bible interpretations should not be reasons for disunion”.  Read More
 

Africa: Cardinals and bishops hold conference to oppose divorce and homosexuality

They were five cardinals and forty-five bishops from as many African countries who met in Ghana, from June 8-11. All in the clear light of day, not almost in secret like some of their colleagues from Germany, France, and Switzerland, who had gathered a few days before at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

The conference theme was indicated from the very first remarks by Guinean cardinal Robert Sarah: “to protect the family from all the ideologies that want to destroy it, and therefore also from the national and international policies that impede the promotion of positive values.”

Cardinal Sarah urged Africa to resist outside ideas: “Why should we think that only the Western vision of man, of the world, of society is good, just, universal? The Church must fight to say no to this new colonization." Read More