Zenit.org has published the full English-language address that Pope Benedict XVI delivered in writing upon receiving the new ambassador from Uganda to the Holy See, Francis K. Butagira. The address is full of empty-sounding niceties and invocation of God’s blessings upon the people of Uganda, but the Pope’s silence on the Kill-the-Gays Bill is DEAFENING. The address draws attention to Uganda’s “steady economic growth”, “provision of clean drinking water for all”, its “struggle against corruption”, and the “campaign of violence in the north of the country has devastated large areas”. Unfortunately, nothing in the 690-word address mentions the violence of Uganda’s proposed anti-homosexuality bill which will subject LGBT Ugandans to a minimum sentence of life imprisonment, plus a death sentence if they are found guilty of “aggravated homosexuality”.
We take umbrage with this particular line in the Pope’s address to the ambassador:
Likewise the climate of freedom and respect in your nation towards the Catholic Church has allowed her to be faithful to her proper mission.
This statement, now touted in the Ugandan press as the Pope’s commendation of Uganda, is a slap in the face to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens of Uganda!
Last week, the Vatican’s legal attaché, the Reverend Philip J Bene, told the press that the Pope is opposed to ‘unjust discrimination’ against gay men and lesbians. We think he must have been mistaken because if that were true, we saw ZERO evidence of it in the above-mentioned address. The Pope had an excellent opportunity to register his disapproval of Uganda’s Kill-the-Gays Bill, and he chose NOT to use it.
If and when the bill comes to pass, the Pope will have blood on his hands. Maybe we should have put him up on our Hall of Shame after all?
Join us in this group: Say No to Uganda’s Kill-the-Gays Bill! [Log-in is required.]
2 Responses
December 24th, 2009 at 7:00 am
this blog is rather interesting and super relevant. it’s hard to believe i ended up here by following a link about underwear
January 1st, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Of course the Pope isn’t going to say anything about it, let alone anything negative. He’s the leader of the CATHOLIC Church, why would he condemn it, given how the Bible is anti-homo/bisexuality & transgender anyway.
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