Zimbabwean Laity Protest Against Methodist Church's Gay Stance
The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (UMC) has entered troubled waters as congregants and the laity are sharply against the church's decision to lift a ban on hom.ose.xu.ality.
Hundreds of angry demonstrators under the ‘Voice of the Laity Advocacy' banner have staged an anti-LGBTQ protest today at the United Methodist Church Headquarters in Milton Park.
The protesters were holding placcards with messages saying that they are against the recent decision by the United Methodist Church (UMC)’s General Conference to repeal the long-standing ban on hom.ose.xu.ality.
Singing their popular UMC hymns, the protesters' leader, the Secretary General of the Voice of the Laity Advocacy, Langton Chibuwe (draped in sackcloth) said:
“Our spirituality is at stake, our social fabric is at stake, our children and their children's children are set for destruction, our heritage …is at stake, the denomination rebelled against God.”
Zimbabwean Laity Protest Against Methodist Church's Gay Stance
The chairperson of the advocacy group, James Kawadza also said the denomination now has two definitions of marriage. He said it now allows for marriages of gay persons and allows gay clergy to minister in church. He added that although the language used says pastors are not compelled to partake in these things, it says “human sexuality should be enjoyed in diverse and amazing ways“.
Some of the placards read: “One Bible, One World – No to Hom.os.ex.uality” and another read: “Ho.mos.e.xu.ality is an abomination“.
Reports suggest that there are now growing fears that the church could split along liberal and conservative lines.
UMC rescinded the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) clergy, as well as same-sex marriages, after delegates voted 692 to 51 at the General Conference held in the United States early this month.
The Zimbabwean chapter like many other African countries have objected to the decision. UMC Zimbabwe leadership says it will not accept same-sex marriages, indicating that it will not preside over such unions.
