All of us at CLGS, along with so many others, were shocked and horrified by the recent, brutal killing of Ugandan gay activist David Kato (click here for the story). As an Episcopal priest, I am additionally dismayed by the failure of the Anglican Church in Uganda to intervene in what has been an escalating level of violent rhetoric toward LGBT people in that country.
As US media reports highlighted the role of American Evangelical Christians exporting their religious anti-gay rhetoric to Uganda, few have noted the ongoing sexuality debates in the worldwide Anglican Communion as yet another source of violence. Speech matters, and religious speech even more. Couching anti-LGBT sentiments in biblical and theological language makes oppression seem like a righteous cause, even divinely mandated.
We can only hope and pray that David Kato’s death will be an occasion for religious leaders both here in the US and throughout the world to realize in new ways that their words have consequences. I pray that they will realize as well that remaining silent lends tacit support to oppression.
The following statement issued by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, offers a good place to begin in recognizing the life-and-death significance of religious speech:
The brutal murder of David Kato Kisule, a gay human rights activist, is profoundly shocking. Our prayers and deep sympathy go out for his family and friends - and for all who live in fear for their lives. Whatever the precise circumstances of his death, which have yet to be determined, we know that David Kato Kisule lived under the threat of violence and death. No one should have to live in such fear because of the bigotry of others. Such violence has been consistently condemned by the Anglican Communion worldwide. This event also makes it all the more urgent for the British Government to secure the safety of LGBT asylum seekers in the UK. This is a moment to take very serious stock and to address those attitudes of mind which endanger the lives of men and women belonging to sexual minorities.
Those are strong and important words from the Archbishop, yet they are not enough. “Condemning violence” will not address the cause of that violence. The “bigotry of others” is fueled by religious language. Unless and until religious leaders insist on the full human dignity of all people, including LGBT-identified people, the roots of the violence that killed David Kato will continue to spread.
At times like this, I’m especially grateful for PSR and the school’s commitment to social justice for all, including the work we do at CLGS. The programs and resources we offer to equip religious leaders and faith communities at the intersections of sexuality and religion are, quite literally, life-saving.
Last year in PSR’s chapel, former Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo spoke at the invitation of CLGS as part of his tour in the United States sponsored by Integrity, the Episcopal LGBT organization. Those who heard Bishop Senyonjo speak were struck by the fierce gentleness of this man who had given up everything, including his position in the church and his pension, to minister to LGBT people in his country. In October, Bishop Senyonjo was singled out along with David Kato in a Ugandan tabloid under the headline “100 Top Homos - hang them.”
As people of faith pray and speak out on these important issues, Episcopalians can of course turn to the Book of Common Prayer as a resource. What a great first step toward ending violence if Anglicans worldwide agreed to pray together these two prayers from that Book:
For Social Justice Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of those whose fear of difference leads to violence, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Human Family O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Amen, indeed.
And “may the souls of all the faithful departed, especially David Kato, rest in peace.”
The Rev. Dr. Jay Emerson Johnson is the CLGS Director of Academic Research and Resources. Click here for Jay's profile.
All of us at CLGS, along with so many others, were shocked and horrified by the recent,
brutal killing of Ugandan gay activist David Kato (click here for the story). As an Episcopal priest, I am additionally dismayed by the failure of the Anglican Church in Uganda to intervene in what has been an escalating level of violent rhetoric toward LGBT people in that country.
As US media reports highlighted the role of American Evangelical Christians exporting their religious anti-gay rhetoric to Uganda, few have noted the ongoing sexuality debates in the worldwide Anglican Communion as yet another source of violence. Speech matters, and religious speech even more. Couching anti-LGBT sentiments in biblical and theological language makes oppression seem like a righteous cause, even divinely mandated.
We can only hope and pray that David Kato’s death will be an occasion for religious leaders both here in the US and throughout the world to realize in new ways that their words have consequences. I pray that they will realize as well that remaining silent lends tacit support to oppression.
The following statement issued by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, offers a good place to begin in recognizing the life-and-death significance of religious speech:
The brutal murder of David Kato Kisule, a gay human rights activist, is profoundly shocking. Our prayers and deep sympathy go out for his family and friends - and for all who live in fear for their lives. Whatever the precise circumstances of his death, which have yet to be determined, we know that David Kato Kisule lived under the threat of violence and death. No one should have to live in such fear because of the bigotry of others. Such violence has been consistently condemned by the Anglican Communion worldwide. This event also makes it all the more urgent for the British Government to secure the safety of LGBT asylum seekers in the UK. This is a moment to take very serious stock and to address those attitudes of mind which endanger the lives of men and women belonging to sexual minorities.
Those are strong and important words from the Archbishop, yet they are not enough. “Condemning violence” will not address the cause of that violence. The “bigotry of others” is fueled by religious language. Unless and until religious leaders insist on the full human dignity of all people, including LGBT-identified people, the roots of the violence that killed David Kato will continue to spread.
At times like this, I’m especially grateful for PSR and the school’s commitment to social justice for all, including the work we do at CLGS. The programs and resources we offer to equip religious leaders and faith communities at the intersections of sexuality and religion are, quite literally, life-saving.
Last year in PSR’s chapel, former Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo spoke at the invitation of CLGS as part of his tour in the United States sponsored by Integrity, the Episcopal LGBT organization. Those who heard Bishop Senyonjo speak were struck by the fierce gentleness of this man who had given up everything, including his position in the church and his pension, to minister to LGBT people in his country. In October, Bishop Senyonjo was singled out along with David Kato in a Ugandan tabloid under the headline “100 Top Homos - hang them.”
As people of faith pray and speak out on these important issues, Episcopalians can of course turn to the Book of Common Prayer as a resource. What a great first step toward ending violence if Anglicans worldwide agreed to pray together these two prayers from that Book:
For Social Justice
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of those whose fear of difference leads to violence, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Amen, indeed.
And “may the souls of all the faithful departed, especially David Kato, rest in peace.”
The Rev. Dr. Jay Emerson Johnson is the CLGS Director of Academic Research and Resources. Click here for Jay's profile.