Dr Samuel Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, the Church of Uganda Archbishop, has castigated his England counterparts for their decision to wed same sex couples.
Kazimba’s disappointment comes hours after the Church of England General Synod which is their top governing body, resolved that clergy can preside over weddings of same sex couples.
Kazimba has described the Church of England as being good at making contradictory statements and expecting
everyone to believe.
Kazimba wondered how the Church of England claims it has not changed its doctrine of marriage. The England doctrine state that marriage is a lifelong union between one man and one woman. So, this has left Kazimba questioning: “On the other hand, they are giving clergy permission to preside at services of Blessing for same-sex unions, especially for gay couples who are already considered
“married” by the British government. In other words, a gay couple joined together
in a civil marriage would then go to the church to receive prayers of blessing.
The only significant difference between a wedding and a service of “blessing” is the
terminology used,” Kazimba said.
Another thing Kazimba is wondering about is the Church of England insistence that it is not changing its doctrine of marriage. Kazimba thinks in
practice, the Church of England is doing precisely what they’re denying.
“You may read various articles, opinions, and commentaries on this decision that try to justify its action.
But, what I want you to know is that if it looks like a wedding, and sounds like a
wedding… it IS a wedding,” Kazimba said.
In response to the issues above, Kazimba said the Church of Uganda will not deviate from its clear stand that God’s design for human flourishing is that we are part of a family that is defined as one man
and one woman united in holy matrimony for life and, God willing, a union that produces children.
“God’s Word has said that the only context for sexual relationships is in the context of a marriage of one man and one woman. Because lifelong, exclusive marriage between one man and one woman
is the only context for sexual relationships,” Kazimba said.
The C.O.U said whether it is adultery, or fornication, or polygamy, or
homosexual relationships; they are all sins and they all separate human beings from God.
“That means if you engage in homosexual; God can forgive you, but it requires that you come before God, confess that
you have done wrong, and make avcommitment to change your way of life. Other words, to repent and walk in God’s ways,” Kazimba said.
Below are other excerpts from Archbishop Kazimba’s take on Church of England decision.
When Jesus was questioned about a woman caught in adultery, he told
her to “Go, and sin no more.”
There is a lot of sexual sin in Uganda. I know that, and you know that. Nevertheless,
we haven’t changed our message. Our message is the message of the Bible, which
is, “Go, and sin no more.”
The Church of England, on the other hand, has now departed from the Bible and
their new message is the opposite message of the Bible. They are now saying, “Go,
and sin some more.”
They are even offering to bless that sin.
That is wrong.
As Church of Uganda we cannot accept that. God cannot bless what He calls sin.
We all know the story of the Uganda Martyrs, how they refused to engage in
homosexual sex with their leaders. They stood firm in their Christian faith and were
martyred for it. We cannot betray them or our Lord Jesus Christ. We will not betray
the Word of God or His ways. The Bible tells us that Jesus alone is “the way, the
truth, and the life,” and that he is the same “yesterday, today, and forever.”
Jesus does not change his mind about what is sinful. Instead, Jesus gives us a way
out of a bondage to sin by putting our trust and faith in him as our Saviour and Lord.
That’s why it’s possible for us to “Go, and sin no more.”
Important Background
The suicidal path the Church of England has now taken began in the Anglican
Communion in 2003 when The Episcopal Church in America consecrated a gay man
as a Bishop. As Church of Uganda, we broke fellowship with them at that time, and
we have maintained that they are the ones who have left the Anglican faith and,
therefore, the Anglican Communion.
In 2008 when the Archbishop of Canterbury refused to discipline The American
Episcopal Church for their action, Archbishops from Bible-believing Anglican
Provinces around the world organized the first God conference to bring us
together under the Lordship of Christ and the authority of the Bible. Gafcon has
always said, “We are not leaving the Anglican Communion; we ARE the Anglican
Communion.”
Likewise, the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans has said the same thing. “We are
not leaving the Anglican Communion; we ARE the Anglican Communion.”
The Way Forward
We now want to ask the Church of England, “Do you have the integrity to step out
of the Anglican Communion because you have departed from the Anglican faith?”
God called you to preach a Gospel of repentance and faith. Instead, you’re like
Jonah. You have disobeyed and are running in the opposite direction.
God called the church to go to Nineveh and preach repentance, but the Church of
England is running to Tarshish and preaching acceptance of sin. There is no way we
are walking together.
The Church of England, together with the Episcopal Church in America, the Anglican
Church of Canada, the Church in Wales, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Episcopal
Anglican Church of Brazil, and others – these are the Provinces that have walked
away, but we pray for them to repent.
And, if they refuse to repent, then we call on them to have the integrity to form
their own Canterbury Communion because what they believe is not Anglicanism
and it is not the faith once delivered to the saints.
If they want to take their whole church into the belly of a whale, they are free to do
that; we are, after all, autonomous Anglican Provinces. We think it’s a bad idea, but
they are free to do it.
But, they are NOT free to drag the whole Anglican Communion with them. The
Anglican Communion is NOT an extension of the Church of England.
The Church of England has departed from the Anglican faith and are now false
teachers. We fear Jesus’ words for them, “If you do not repent, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Rev 2.5b) It’s that serious.
The Church of Uganda has more than 200 members traveling to Kigali in April for
the 4th Global Gafcon meeting. We will be there with many Bible-believing.
Archbishops, Bishops, and Anglicans from all over Africa and the world. These are
the ones who have not bowed their knee to Baal. (1 Kings 19.18)
We shall pray, and sit together, and discern the mind of Christ for the way forward. I
ask your prayers for wisdom, for, indeed, we need the wisdom of Solomon to know
how to faithfully respond to the crisis at hand.
Finally, now that our children are back in school, beware of the well-funded Gay
organizations that are recruiting our children into homosexuality. Not only in
Kampala, but all over the country. They target our poverty and promise our youth
money.
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.
To our Head Teachers – if an organization is bringing money and resources to your
school, or inviting your students to a function, do your research. Make sure you
know who they really are.
My fellow Ugandans – we cannot serve God and mammon. We cannot serve God
and money. Do not lose your soul because you think you will gain the whole world
through the money they offer you. Do not think you can take the money, but not
fall into their trap. It’s a lie; you are being exploited with that money.
The Bible says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” So, just say, “No.”
I am here today to declare, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”
The House of Bishops is united on this. The Provincial Assembly is unit