The principal bishops of the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom and Ghana have agreed that while human dignity is always paramount, cultural and social contexts must also be taken into account.
This agreement was established during a virtual meeting held between the Archbishop of Canterbury and the high clergy of the Anglican Church of Ghana on Wednesday, November 3.
The brotherhood discussed their different positions on the Ghanaian Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Promotion Bill, currently before Parliament.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was one of many UK-based religious leaders who have expressed concern over the bill.
Speaking to Twitter on October 26, he denounced the positions of the Anglican Church of Ghana, stating that “the majority of Anglicans within the Anglican World Communion undertake to respect both the traditional teaching on marriage as set out in Resolution I of the 1998 Lambeth Conference.: 10 and the rights of everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, before the law.
But in a statement issued after the meetingArchbishop Welby admitted he had no authority over the Anglican Church in Ghana and therefore ensured the conversation was between equals.
“We are a worldwide family of autonomous but interdependent churches: a holy, Catholic and apostolic Church linked by the history, the sacraments, the liturgy and the love of Jesus Christ for each person”, he added. .
The Archbishop, however, assured that there would be a “good continuing conversation with the Anglican Church in Ghana” before any future public statements.
In August, eight parliamentarians jointly submitted a private bill to lobby for the criminalization of LGBTQ + activities in the country.
Supporters also want the promotion, advocacy, funding and acts of homosexuality to be banned in the country.
Since the controversial bill was made public, opponents have argued that if the bill passes, it would violate the basic human rights of individuals who identify with the group.
The bill is currently before Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, which hears arguments from supporters and opponents to make an informed decision on it.
