SIR — I like the way Archbishop Luke Orombi has handled the Bishop Ssenyonjo saga. Orombi’s article “bishop ssenyonjo undesirable in cou†is very firm but at the same time rational. He ends the article in the following sentence: “we are committed to offering the gospel to everyone, includi
SIR — I like the way Archbishop Luke Orombi has handled the Bishop Ssenyonjo saga. Orombi’s article “bishop ssenyonjo undesirable in cou†is very firm but at the same time rational. He ends the article in the following sentence: “we are committed to offering the gospel to everyone, including those who feel marginalised, those confused about their sexuality and those struggling with homosexualityâ€.
This is good because Orombi is empathic without condoning homosexuality or condemning homosexuals. As the highest authority in the Church of Uganda, he is not using his high office to drive anybody out of the Church. Instead he is offering guidance. He is right to sympathise with those wrestling with homosexuality because we are all sinners. Homosexuality is not the only sin. What is unacceptable is Ssenyonjo’s defence of homosexuality as “a reality that has come to stayâ€! What does he mean?
Even murder and robbery are realities we live with, but must we accept them? I like Orombi’s open-mindedness. His battle with Ssenyonjo is not personal and he is not throwing his weight about just because he is the boss.
He has declared that Ssenyonjo will be welcomed back if he repents. I think that is the right Christian approach and it is up to Ssenyonjo. Sgt (rtd) George Segene Kampala
SIR — It is with particular interest that I have followed the saga of Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo and the Church of Uganda. I am gay and a Ugandan. The bishop asserts he is not gay but is willing to face society and the Church on the basic principle of love.
That is courage indeed. The church was founded on love.
I have found very little of this love as a human being in all the things the Church in Uganda has been saying.
Though I am not a christian, Ssenyonjo shows me what it means to love in the Jesus way.