Nkhoma Synod warns on gay laws
As the debate over government’s proposal to decriminalise same-sex relationships continues, the CCAP Nkhoma Synod has issued a stern warning to MPs not to dare accept the idea.
When she opened the current meeting of Parliament, President Joyce Banda said her administration intends to repeal provisions in the Penal Code that criminalise same-sex relationships.
The Catholic Church and opposition parties have already weighed in on the debate, saying the repeal of the law on same-sex liaisons would be self-destructive.
“Homosexuality is unnatural act which must be condemned by all professing Christians,” reads a statement released by the Nkhoma Synod on Friday, signed by vice-moderator Reverend Sande Mwale and synod clerk Brian Kamwendo.
Homosexuality is an abrogation of the theological interpretation of sexual relations between a man and a woman in the context of marriage, reads the statement.
“Therefore, the CCAP Nkhoma Synod would like to warn her members not to indulge in homosexuality and Members of Parliament (MPs) not dare accept it,” reads the statement, but fell short of specifying what action the church would take if MPs repeal the law.
The church, adds the statement, believes in fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness because one man and one woman is God’s sole design for humanity.
“The Bible is clear that nurturing the lust or participating in homosexual, premarital or extramarital sexual behaviour is sin.
“CCAP Nkhoma Synod believes, as people created in the image of God, we have choices to make in how we can manage or express the sexual desire. Even in the animal world, this unnatural behaviour does not exist,” said the church.
The People’s Party (PP) last week argued that it is cruel for government to jail people for engaging in unnatural acts. PP supports the repeal of the law, saying the party will stand up and speak against all forms of discrimination.
But Minister of Justice and Attorney General Ralph Kasambara said what the President did was to open and encourage healthy debate.
Kasambara said the bill is yet to be drafted, but argued that it would be pointless to arrest suspected gays and lesbians when the law criminalising same-sex relationships is being considered for review.
