Clerics in Gabon Want President to “renounce Bill” Seeking to Decriminalize Homosexuality

It has been reported that during the June 23 session of the National Assembly, 48 legislatures voted in favor of decriminalizing homosexuality, 24 against and 25 abstained.

Members of the Senate also adopted the Bill on  June 29.

“This decriminalization opens the way for the tacit recognition of homosexuality in Gabon,” the Clerics say and add, “Today it is the celebration of the love of people of the same sex and tomorrow paedophilia. Lovers of human blood will also be celebrated in our Republic. This is unacceptable”

They make reference to the story of creation in Genesis saying, “In the beginning, God created man and woman. This basic, natural differentiation is the only one capable of making life possible, because man is the fruit of the union between the opposite sexes.”

Terming the Bill as one that introduces “invasive, cheap, hedonistic cultures that can uproot our identity and not the best imports for our dear homeland,” the Clerics bemoan the Bill saying that “poses a serious problem of legitimacy” and “offends the collective conscience of our compatriots and exposes more the homosexuals who have always lived without concern in our cities.”

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“There is no need to add an additional burden to our fellow citizens already burdened by misery, precariousness, unemployment, increasingly expensive living conditions, abandonment of the state and insecurity,” the Clerics in Gabon further decry.

“Churches in their variety do not in any way combat homosexuals,” they say and explain in reference to churches, “They consider that this sexual practice is not a voluntary choice of individuals but the result of unfortunate circumstances often linked to childhood wounds, the environment and external pressure from lobbies.”

The message from the Catholic Priests in Gabon comes weeks after the Catholic Bishops in the West African country condemned the controversial bill saying it represents “a danger for our children and for homosexuals themselves.”

In their June 25 collective statement, the Bishops also encouraged all religious denominations to “fraternally organize prayers to implore the help of the Lord of the universe in these difficult times.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.