General Synod July 2004 Sessions
LGCM Anglican Matters

An invitation to members of the General Synod to a lunchtime meeting 
 12.30 - 2.30                  • Monday 12th July • 
Goodricke Senior Common Room, University of York

The Primacy of Human Rights in the Global South
Stephen Bowen 
Campaigns Director, Amnesty International UK

When Parliament partially decriminalised homosexuality in 1967 Cabinet Minister Richard Crossman recorded in his diaries just how unpopular this change was in the country and particularly in the Labour heartlands. Archbishop Ramsey may well have justified his support for this change in the law precisely because it was, at that time, so ‘counter-cultural’. 

Today two thirds of the world's homosexual population living in some 80 countries continue to be treated as outlaws, punishments range from death through mutilation to long terms of imprisonment. In recent years where homosexuality has been decriminalised, for example in Rumania and Cyprus, the main opposition to the changes has come from Church leaders. Most Christians in the “global south” give support and encouragement to governments that use the law to persecute lesbian and gay people; they are being anything but ‘counter- cultural’.

The perspective we often fail to grasp is that for the majority of homosexuals world-wide the debate on episcopal or priestly ordination is laughable, for them the struggle is about liberty and life. 

Lesbian and Gay people are amongst the first to experience the loss of their Human Rights when democracy is fragile or replaced by totalitarian regimes. They are also amongst the last to be liberated from oppressive legislation when freedom and liberty prevail. 

Amnesty International highlights abuses of human rights throughout the world. Their cry for reason, justice and mercy has often been solitary and frequently ignored by large sections of the Church. Christians in many countries have learned at the cost of their own lives the high price of ignoring their warnings.

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All welcome
Lunch will be provided for as many who notify us of their intention to attend.
We shall ask for contributions towards the cost on the day. RSVP BEFORE 5th July 
phone/fax 020 7739 1249, or email lgcm@lgcm.org.uk