Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Uganda: Anti-Homosexuality Act

Thursday 20 July 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Archbishop of Canterbury wrote to Archbishop Kaziimba expressing concern over the Anti-Homosexuality Act and the criminalisation of LGBT+ people.
  • The Archbishop of Canterbury noted that the Ugandan Act contradicts the Anglican communion's commitment to treating every person with care and respect.
  • The Anglican communion reaffirmed in 2016 its rejection of criminal sanctions against same-sex-attracted people, finding it difficult to reconcile with the Ugandan Church's stance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Gibson
Women & Equalities Religion & Faith
Context

Following the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 in Uganda, which includes provisions for the death penalty for certain homosexual acts, the questioner seeks to understand the stance of the Church of England on this matter.

Question

What discussions has the Church of England had with churches in Uganda following the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 that criminalises homosexuality?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Archbishop of Canterbury has written directly to Archbishop Kaziimba of Uganda reminding him of the commitment made by the Anglican communion to treat every person with care and respect, opposing the criminalisation of LGBT+ people. The Act was seen as a fundamental departure from these commitments.

Answered
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Q2 Peter Gibson
Religion & Faith
Context

Following the initial question about the Church of England's response to Uganda's Anti-Homosexibility Act, the MP seeks further clarification regarding the Church's position against capital punishment for crimes and its support for LGBT community members.

Question

Given the Archbishop of Canterbury's concern over the Ugandan Act, what can the Church say to Anglicans in the UK who oppose any death penalty for crimes and to those in the LGBT community horrified by events in Uganda?

Answer from Andrew Selous

Each province of the Anglican communion is autonomous, but in 2016, primates reaffirmed rejection of criminal sanctions against same-sex-attracted people and committed to respecting every person's dignity. It is difficult to reconcile the Ugandan Church's position with this agreement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific actions or statements by the Church to address concerns among its members and support for the LGBT community were not addressed directly.

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