The BBC reports that Nigeria to outlaw same-sex unions and illustrates the story with this picture. Update the picture has been changed to this one.
See also this earlier story which still uses the first picture (see George Conger’s comment below for why it is the wrong picture).
This is confirmed in a report from Nigeria in the Daily Champion previously found at FG moves to ban same-sex marriage which also says:
Besides, formation of association of homosexuals and lesbians as well as any form of protesting for rights recognition by the affected persons will be outlawed.
That web page has now changed so the full text of it is saved here, below the fold. Thanks to Tunde for providing the original link.
Update Voice of America reports that Anglican Church in Nigeria Welcomes Ban on Homosexuality thus:
…The spokesman for the Anglican church in Nigeria, Reverend Tunde Popoola, says the proposed ban is appropriate. The Anglican community in Nigeria has long waged a vigorous campaign against homosexuals, as Reverend Popoola explains.
“The Anglican church in Nigeria has been in the forefront of condemning the attitude because the church sees it as an aberration, in other words, we see it as against the norm. We see it as an abomination,” he said…
A VOA radio interview with Tunde Popoola can be heard here (Real Audio)
Updated Saturday – additional links
IRIN News NIGERIA: Government proposes law to ban same-sex marriage
Nigeria First via allAfrica.com ‘Gay Marriage Will Be Punished in Nigeria’
Daily Champion article of 19 January
FG moves to ban same sex marriage
LERE OJEDOKUN, Abuja
FEDERAL Government yesterday approved a draft bill seeking to ban same sex marriages and relationships in the country. If enacted by the National Assembly, offenders face a five-year jail term without option of fine.
Besides, formation of association of homosexuals and lesbians as well as any form of protesting for rights recognition by the affected persons will be outlawed.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) who briefed State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, said the move became necessary following the reported cases of the unnatural marriage in South Africa.
He explained that President Olusegun Obasanjo had expressed concern at the development in the former apartheid enclave, last year and requested his ministry to come up with the appropriate legal framework to forestal it happening in Nigeria.
The minister added that the draft bill which FEC approved after some amendments, would be forwarded to the National Assembly for passage into law.
“We all know that marriage is a unique institution between a man and a woman and this fact is universally acknowledged. It is also contained in the Holy Books. But in recent time, this incident of marriage or relationship between people of the same sex has been growing in the developed world.
“Just in December, this incident crossed over to South Africa, we got worried. Mr. President then thought it fit that we should bring a bill to council to prohibit the relationship and marriage between people of the same sex,” he said.
Chief Ojo said various sections of the proposed act include validity and recognition of marriages, non-recognition of marriages of same sex, prohibition of marriages of same sex in any of the recognised places of worship like churches, mosques and customary courts.
He further explained that the state high courts and federal high courts would have jurisdiction over matters relating to same-sex marriage, even as he said that government could not afford an alien culture desecrate African long-held belief of holy marriage.
His words: “You know it is unAfrican for people of the same sex to contract any form of sexual relationship or marriage. This is why government is putting in place a legal framework to checkmate it straightway and ensure we don’t have such incidents in the country.”
Information and National Orientation Minister, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr, who also spoke on the issue, said government considered Nigeria as a “basically conservative society” where all religious and culture abhor marriage between persons of same sex.
He added that the open canvassing for recognition by an advocacy rights group at December’s summit on HIV/AIDS in Abuja informed the move by government to nip the practice in the bud.
Other decisions at the FEC meeting chaired by President Obasanjo include approval of N5.4 billion for the completion of Nassarawa-Loko road rehabilitation, N580 million for reconstruction and asphalt laying on Okigwe-Afikpo road and N440 million for Onitsha-Enugu road rehabilitation, according to Works Minister, Chief Adeseye.
Others are N2 billion for the Ota-Abeokuta road dualisation, N167.5 million for furnishing of the new office for the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and N63 million for consultancy by the Presidential Committee on Consolidation of Emoluments of Public Servants.
© 2006 @ Champion Newspapers Limited (All Right Reserved).
Can I ask how this coincides with the pledge to listen to gay and lesbian experiences?
It is rather amusing that the BBC would use a photo of a Rwandan, Malawian and Sudanese bishop to illustrate a Nigerian political story. On the one hand it is flattering to think that a photo of Emmanuel Kolini, Bernard Malango and Joseph Marona —- Anglican Primates all, would be the best way to put a face on this legislation. That Anglicans are a freemasonry of power brokers and king makers. On the other, it does suggest the photo editor may have been in a bit of a rush to illustrate the article. One should keep in mind that this… Read more »
I am always amused when Episcopalians who favor gay rights are portrayed by their ecclesial opponents as captives of their culture. Whereas the cultural influences of Nigerian society on Nigerian Anglicans are never acknowledged.
There have been further developments in Nigeria. Canon AkinTunde Popoola telephoned and spoke with Davis MacIyalla this afternoon, 19 January 2006. He told Davis that he had written to him, with a copy to me, before he published the allegations on the Church of Nigeria web site. Neither of us had received emails about the allegations prior to them being published. Canon Popoola said it was the people in Otukpo who had given him the information on which his allegations were based, and he wanted Davis to go to Otukpo and clear his name. Canon Popoola maintained that he was… Read more »
We are all delighted to hear from George Conger that this is just proposed legislation and not law and the dainty ditty about the wrong Primates etc ……what jolly fun! This careful analysis makes such refreshing reading compared to his wholesale reporting of the unsubstantiated charges made against Davis in the CEN, with the one word “alleged” thrown in of course!
I wonder why Popoola wishes to stop the CA Network when they have signed up to listening to their gay and lesbian members?
Colin
Maybe you should refrain from posting the info as you continue to dialogue with Tunde as it may affect the investigative and clarification process. It’s a matter of time but we will get to the truth of it all.
Best wishes
Terry
So, two important facts emerging: a) The Church of Nigeria (AC) issued (and continues to defend and publish) international press releases on its official website, under the letterhead of the Primate of all Nigeria, which name and slander one of its own members accusing him of fraud, theft, and lack of faith. Astonishingly, it has NO EVIDENCE to substantiate these allegations. In fact there is clear evidence provided by CA and NYT at least that the allegations are false. So, the emerging fact here seems to be that the CofN(AC) is pursuing a policy of deliberately slandering Christians who do… Read more »
“I wonder why Popoola wishes to stop the CA Network when they have signed up to listening to their gay and lesbian members?” I suppose that’s very simple, actually. It is of course a step to *facilitate* the aforesaid listening process. After all, the fewer voices there are, and the softer they speak, it will be that much easier for Abp. Akinola, Canon Popoola, et al. to hear them and their message. Indeed, if there were no such voices to be heard at all, the listening process would be greatly simplified and quite speedily completed, and its effect upon the… Read more »
It is the actions of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) that are an abomination before God, not those of its gay members.
Thank you, Nadine, for a perfectly Orwellian vision of the Church. The Church is asked to listen, and you redefine that, step by step, until only the clerics speak–which is not listening at all.
Corporations and banks rob people of their savings and their livelihoods. Religious fanatics of every stripe massacre hundreds of people with suicide bombs. Crime becomes ever more audacious and violent. And yet, I, an obscure community college teacher and artist, and my partner, a cabaret singer and a hairdresser, become the living embodiments of the worst fears of thousands of people. This is something that I shall never understand.
My prayers are with gay Anglicans in Nigeria and for all the people of Nigeria.
Dear Rev’d Terry Wong,
Nearer home-ground, you are invited to conversations with lesbian and gay Christians from Safehaven in Singapore. Twice we have written to the Diocesan Office asking for dialogue, that last time being before the Windsor Report was written; but have yet received a response. Do email me if you are keen to do so. Thanks.
tuckleong@gmail.com
Yes, the further we proceed along this, the better we see the true arc and purpose and spirit of the church of Nigeria. Everything Popoola has published and said about this have been shown to be pure lies. His story keeps changing and changing. First he said that through his miraculous “process,” he’d contacted every one of 10,000 parishes and 6,000+ clergyman in the country and determined that Davis was not “active.” He sent that out over ACNS. Now that story, since it is so stupid it cannot be believed by anyone with a centimeter of brain tissue, seems to… Read more »
So, to come back to Augustus’point – why DO people wish to preserve the Communion? We would be better off looking towards ECUSA and building a loose-knit federation worldwide of those of us who want an inclusive and open church without those of the opinion and behaviour of Nigeria!
In that way we could far more effectively support those who want the same in the majority-conservative provinces.
Why all the commotion? For the Primate and Metropolitan of All Nigeria and his fellow bishops, and their US collaborators, the end always justifies the means. Why not maintain biblical orthodoxy, as perceived from their own cultural perspective, even if it involves malicious lies and slander? After all, ‘their’ orthodoxy is the higher good to which all good Christians ought to aspire. Any other ‘orthodoxy’ is disordered, an accommodation to western culture and, therefore, sinful.
By their fruits we shall know them…
Lord have mercy!
At least Nigeria has flagged up this proposed legislation. When Uganda changed their national constitution to criminalise those in same-sex marriage last year, it came unannounced. While we had expected many countries to follow Uganda’s example, the proposal to outlaw LGBT advocacy groups would be a sinister development that could have far reaching consequences if it is followed through and other States adopt something similar. We have warned that the fear of homosexual equality might kick off an ever increasing hostility to LGBT people. We may be witnessing this beginning as nation states that already severely punish LGBT people compete… Read more »
Nope, not generations to come, Martin. Consequences of one’s ‘Bible-based teaching’ may not seem relevent to a minority made up of puritans and ‘conservatives’, but I persist in the faith that there is a sizeable minority of right-thinking people see the link clear as day, now. (God, what will it take, if not) We have seen the simple formula played out for centuries on British soil (and elsewhere, of course). That’s why countless thugs in the UK feel quite justified in viciously beating or murdering a queer. It’s scriptural. It is an abomination. The sentence is death. How can you… Read more »
The dichotomy you present is not reality Augustus:
Eg “That’s why countless thugs in the UK feel quite justified in viciously beating or murdering a queer.”
In the current climate in the UK I put it to you that anyone conservative using much of the language you put into our mouths would receive considerably more than a simple visit from the police.
But yes, I agree there is a crossroads approaching – yet the fork is not as you describe it: it is, will the church continue to uphold the authority of God’s word or not?
Small correction. It’s not Millennia. It’s not Bible. Not even Tradition. It’s only a trifle of 800 years of European persecution ;=) By Lateran III in 1179, Paris Council in 1210 and Lateran IV in 1215, 6 new religious and social minorities – invented for the purpose – were made outcasts; Jews, Muslims, Heretics (Cathars, but not Valdensians!), Bastards (aimed at the sons of married Priests), Sodomitas (word invented by Peter Damian around 1050, the reference ever-changing but according to Lateran IV, especially m a r r i e d Priests ;=) and finally Lepers. Basically, the same “groups” we… Read more »
Always interesting how conservatives avoid the consequences of their homophobia.
Anyway,no doubt some of the church will stick with superstitious traditions of bigotry whereas some of us will continue to progress. I simply hope we don’t have to do it together. Who wants to be affiliated to people with the sort of views expressed by our Nigerian ‘friends’?
Erm, ‘pogrom’ is too strong a word. Sorry. Gin-posting. -shakes head in shame- Shan’t do it again.
“In the current climate in the UK I put it to you that anyone conservative using much of the language you put into our mouths would receive considerably more than a simple visit from the police. “ There are few things I find more irritating than conservatives comparing their (just) alienation on this issue with me being threatened with a tire iron or a friend of mine losing all his teeth to a pistol-whipping. All lgbts regardless of race, nationality, or class must live with the constant threat of violence. I’m tired of conservatives, especially over on this side of… Read more »
“But yes, I agree there is a crossroads approaching – yet the fork is not as you describe it” . . . and *there* is the crux [!] of the problem, Neil: *two different perceptions of reality*. God only knows, we’re ALL partially blind here. We’re all liable to cast god in our own image. Yet, of these two radically different interpretations of truth, *one* of them has to be closer to the Truth that God wants us to see—to God’s Will. “will the church continue to uphold the authority of God’s word or not?” It won’t, in my opinion,… Read more »
Neil, you wrote in response to Augustus:
In the current climate in the UK I put it to you that anyone conservative using much of the language you put into our mouths would receive considerably more than a simple visit from the police.
Sorry, this just has me quite confused about your own position regarding such language, and how they should be responded to by the police. Could you explain it a bit more?
Simon, Sorry if that was oblique. I was meaning that I’ve not heard a conservative using the sort of language being used in the previous post: so I believe it’s putting words into conservatives’ mouths. I don’t think that sort of language is actually compatible with Christian profession – it is so loaded with bigotry, prejudice and hatred. And I was also meaning that we seem to be moving in the UK into an era where any expression of a public view which is against homosexual practice leads to police intimidation. So using the language in the previous post would… Read more »
Sadly, it is certainly true here in the US that LGBT persons are at risk for violence. Indeed, we have problems of violence against persons who aer perceived as LGBT despite lack of evidence. The largest school system in my metropolitan area has to have a program for the system specifically to protest students who have suffered attacks or threats on that basis. Even more sadly, there are those who call themselves Christian who do preach hatred – beyond “the Bible won’t support this” to “these persons are going to Hell, and if it’s not encouraged to help them along,… Read more »
Neil, being locked in the U.S., I can’t point you to any examples in the U.K. But surf on over to “Virtue” Online, and you’ll see a great many self-professed evangelicals using language much, much worse than the tame words Augustus used. It’s enough to turn the stomach.
I wrote, “The largest school system in my metropolitan area has to have a program for the system specifically to protest students who have suffered attacks or threats on that basis.”
I miss-typed: the program is to *protect* students, not to protest them.
“Neil, being locked in the U.S., I can’t point you to any examples in the U.K. But surf on over to “Virtue” Online, and you’ll see a great many self-professed evangelicals using language much, much worse than the tame words Augustus used. It’s enough to turn the stomach.” Crucifer I go to Virtue Online to read the ongoing REAL hate spewing out from the keyboards of their aledged religious “orthodox” Anglican/Episcopalian contributors. One mustn’t avoid reality no matter how offensive and nauseating it is. I REFUSE to “play pretend” that BOLD hatemongering doesn’t exist within our church…my beloved and murdered… Read more »
Dearest Leonardo Ricardo, and Thinking Anglicans, I am a member of a still-young group called CFLAG – Clergy Friends and Families of Lesbian and Gay persons. We are mostly ECUSA clergy, though not exclusively. Our founder Jane Tully spoke so eloquently at Nottingham on our behalf and that of our loved ones. It is not easy for clergy to come out as having gay or lesbian children or siblings. Our congregations might not like it; our bishops might not like it; it might make ministry difficult if not impossible for some of us. Not to mention the impossibility if our… Read more »
Bravo, Leonardo!
Bravo Leonardo! Thank You Mother Keen.
“I know this: the more clergy of lesbian and gay children/siblings/loved ones who come out as being supportive and appreciative of their loved ones just as they are, the safer the world, and particularly the church, will be for us all.” Mother Keen Exacto! May God continue to bless you in all that you do Mother Keen as you enlighten your flock with TRUTH and REALITY…you are appreciated by me and Counterlight too…another BRAVO and thank you! I consider you and your CFLAG fellowship to be brave Episcopalian soldiers who are amongst the most spiritually wholesome members and leaders in… Read more »