LGCM calls on Dr Rowan Williams to protect persecuted activists in Africa and Asia

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement are calling on the Archbishop of Canterbury to protect lesbian and gay Christian activists in Africa and Asia.

Christopher Sentenza the Anglican Vice-President of Integrity Uganda (A gay Christian organisation in Uganda) has been in hiding since he returned from speaking at the "Halfway to Lambeth Conference" in Manchester on October 25th. Agents of the Ugandan Security Services have ransacked his home and taken away a box of materials.

Christopher's speech at the Manchester Conference (See Manchester Conference section at www.lgcm.org.uk - Click here to link to SPEECHES) was reported extensively in the Ugandan press.

Co-founder of Integrity Uganda Fr Erich Kasirye was arrested by security agents last Saturday (15th November) and questioned about Christopher's whereabouts until late Sunday (16th November), he was released when he proved he had to be at hospital for medical attention.

Speaking from Uganda Bishop Christopher Senyrngo, Chairman of Integrity Uganda said Fr Kasirye had not informed the authorities of Christopher's location but he was "seriously worried for his safety".

The Revd Richard Kirker, General Secretary of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement is also very concerned for his safety and is sending an emissary this weekend to Kampala to help Integrity Uganda. Mr Kirker said today (20th November 2003):

"We are contacting the Archbishop of Canterbury asking him to extend a cloak of protection around Christopher Sentenza and other gay Christians faced with persecution in Africa and Asia. Dr Williams, and all the Anglican Primates have urged Anglicans throughout the world to listen to the experiences of lesbian and gay Christians. The fact is that many of the Primates are happy to see lesbian and gay Christians silenced behind prison bars.

"Uganda is suffering the bitterest civil war - millions of its people are homeless refugees - yet the security services are wasting the country's resources hunting down civil rights workers. I have written to the Under Secretary of State for Africa, Chris Mullin, telling him of the persecution and urging him to use his influence to the Ugandan regime to respect the civil right of lesbian and gay people.

"We daily hear reports of the murder and torture of lesbian and gay people throughout the world, often by or with the connivance of the authorities and frequently with the tacit support of "Christians", this is the real problem the Primates and Anglican Church should be addressing." 

Ends

Fr Erich Kasirye can be contacted in Kampala on 00 256 78 30 40 21
Bishop Christopher Senyrngo can be contacted on 00 256 77 44 89 58