Pr Ssempa apologizes over 'misunderstood' views on polygamy

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 MARRIAGE & FAMILY 

A week after sparking controversy with his proposals on the Marriage Bill, 2024 in Parliament, Pastor Martin Ssempa has come out to set the record straight — on specifically his "misunderstood and misinterpreted" views on polygamy.

Last Thursday (February 6), the lead pastor at the Kampala-based Makerere Community Church in Uganda's capital proposed that Parliament legalizes polygamy for Christians in the proposed new law.

Polygamy involves having more than one wife or husband at the same time.

"We must recognize polygamy as an arrangement for the Christian community," Ssempa told the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

"When the Bible talks about marriage and family, it talks about both in its polygamous and monogamous state. It never makes an exclusion."

But in a turnaround, Ssempa — in a press statement to the public dated February 12 — came out to "clarify, rectify and apologize" for those divisive comments.

"The media has inaccurately portrayed my position, suggesting that I have now initiated a campaign to promote polygamous marriages within the Christian fraternity," said the outspoken city pastor and activist.

"I categorically state that this was not my intended communication, and I deeply regret any misunderstanding that has arisen as a result. To ensure clarity, I would like to state my position: I do not support, promote or practise polygamy."

A married man in his mid-50s, Ssempa said his personal belief and practice remain in line with the Christian teachings that prohibit polygamy. 

"I support God's best plan of having a monogamous marriage and I stand with the Christian groups that practise monogamous marriage."

Facing MPs a week prior, the pastor had said that while he does not practise nor promote polygamy, he had "realized that there are others who are Christians who practise polygamy, who promote polygamy, who conduct polygamous weddings".

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'Closure'

Ssempa's subsequent statement of public apology sought to "clarify that my intended communication about polygamy in the exceptional circumstances was misunderstood and misinterpreted as meaning that I have changed from the position of monogamy, which is the Christian teaching of marriage".

"I have not changed from the biblical position of the Christian Faith which teaches the practice of monogamous marriage. I still believe the perfect will of God for marriage is having a monogamous marriage and I don't wish to water this down," he said.

Looking back at his parliamentary appearance, Ssempa said he "strongly believes" that "polygamous converts have a process to follow, to sort out their polygamous marriage provided for in the Bible through Discipleship and Grace, according to Titus 2:11-13".

The pastor apologized "for any social, spiritual and psychological distress" his comments caused, particularly within the Christian community.

"And I submit to the guidance of my Elders within the Born Again, Pentecostal and Evangelical Christians.

"I assure you all, that I have not and will not become a campaigner of unbiblical marriage. Everything that has been said in reference to this subject has been brought to a closure.

In Parliament last Thursday, Ssempa also urged legislators to criminalize adultery, arguing that the vice has broken many marriages.

In his two cents, he also proposed setting a minimum number of times for married couples to honour their conjugal obligations (sex).

The Marriage Bill, 2024 seeks to reform, repeal and consolidate the legal framework governing marriage in Uganda.

It intends to provide for recognized marriages in Uganda, and separation and dissolution of marriage.