wfn.org | Anglican Statement on the Imprisonment of Stephen Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga

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Statement from the Anglican Bishops in Southern African On the 
Imprisonment of Stephen Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga

Posted On : May 26, 2010 4:46 PM | Posted By : Webmaster

ACNS: http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2010/5/26/ACNS4703

> Related Categories: South Africa

We, the Bishops of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa call upon 
the Government of South Africa to seek the release of Stephen Monjeza 
and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who were recently sentenced in Malawi to 14 
years imprisonment with hard labour, after they shared in a 
traditional ceremony of engagement.

As we have previously stated, though there is a breadth of 
theological views among us on matters of human sexuality, we are 
united in opposing the criminalisation of homosexual people. We see 
the sentence that has been handed down to these two individuals as a 
gross violation of human rights and we therefore strongly condemn 
such sentences and behaviour towards other human beings. We emphasize 
the teachings of the Scriptures that all human beings are created in 
the image of God and therefore must be treated with respect and 
accorded human dignity. .

These principles are at the heart of South Africa's own Constitution, 
whose provisions we see as setting an example for the world to 
follow.   We therefore call on our President and Government to pursue 
the same values and standards for the upholding of human well-being, 
dignity and respect, in our external relations; to engage in dialogue 
with their counterparts on the rights of minorities; and to oppose 
any measures which demean and oppress individuals, communities, or 
groups of people. In particular we call on our President and 
Government to lobby the Government of Malawi at every level to uphold 
the commitment it shares through the SADC treaty to promote human 
rights (Article 4). We urge them to press for the swift release of 
these two individuals, who have committed no act of violence or harm 
against anyone; for the quashing of the sentence against them; and 
for the repeal of this repressive legislation.

More generally, we wish to reiterate our deep concern at the violent 
language used against the gay community across Sub-Saharan Africa, 
and at the increased legal action being taken against gay 
individuals, communities and organisations. Even in South Africa we 
are aware of instances of violence against the gay and lesbian 
community. We therefore appeal to law-makers everywhere to defend the 
rights of these minorities.

As Bishops we believe that it is immoral to permit or support 
oppression of, or discrimination against, people on the grounds of 
their sexual orientation, and contrary to the teaching of the gospel; 
particularly Jesus' command that we should love one another as he has 
loved us, without distinction (John 13:34-35). We commit ourselves to 
teach, preach and act against any laws that undermine human dignity 
and oppress any and all minorities, even as we call for Christians 
and all people to uphold the standards of holiness of life.

Issued by the Office of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town

> Inquiries: on 021- 763-1320 (office hours)

Note to editors: On 12 February 2010 The Synod of Bishops of the 
Anglican Church of Southern Africa issued a statement opposing the 
draft legislation proposed in Uganda to further criminalize 
homosexuality. The text of this statement is available here:
http://www.anglicanchurchsa.org/view.asp?ItemID=265&tname=tblComponent1&oname=News&pg=front