“Seeks to destroy life”: Catholic Bishops in Kenya on Pro-homosexual Right Court Ruling

They say that the ruling, which follows a ten-year legal battle that started when Eric Gitari, the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC), challenging the head of Kenya’s NGO board refusal to permit the registration of an association under a name containing the words gay or lesbian, “is an attack on humanity”.

The ruling “is unconstitutional, unwelcome, and should be withdrawn,” Catholic Bishops in Kenya say, adding that the Supreme Court’s determination “contradicts the basic values of the people of Kenya as enshrined in the Constitution.”

Same sex acts are illegal under Kenyan law, with the Penal Code suggesting a penalty of 14 years imprisonment to 21 years.

In the statement signed by KCCB Chairman, Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of the Archdiocese of Mombasa, the Catholic Church leaders in Kenya say the Supreme Court ruling will pave the way for the promotion of homosexuality in the country. 

“Fundamentally, registration of any association is based on what the association promotes. The aim of the LGBTQ+ association is the promotion of homosexual actions and normalizing homosexual and same-sex unions. We, therefore, note that this ruling sets the platform for activism and pressure to further recognize homosexual actions and same-sex unions as acceptable and further infiltrate our processes of formation in our institutions,” they say. 

KCCB members add that the ruling in favor of LGBTQ+ registration “is tantamount to normalization of unnatural unions; it is the approval of deviant behavior.”

“This ideology (LGBTQ+) is an attempt to undermine the family and cultural values which are rooted in the very nature of humankind. This ideology is an attack on our faith systems. It also undermines the dignity of life which is at the core of our beliefs as a nation,” they say. 

The Catholic Bishops condemn homosexual ideologies saying they are not only “intrinsically immoral” but they also go against the natural law.

“Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,” they further say, adding that the LGBTQ+ ideology is being pushed on the youth and poor members of society. 

“Many of these individuals are being recruited into the LGBTQ+ group with the promise of financial benefits,” the Catholic Bishops say, and add, “We are also aware that the impact of homosexuality is grave and has far reaching effects.”

They continue, “With homosexuality and same-sex unions being introduced in our society, the continuity of humanity is put at risk by homosexual acts. Same-sex unions are not able to contribute in a proper way to the procreation and survival of the human race.” 

KCCB members call on the government to safeguard and protect Kenyans from LGBTQ+ ideology.

“We make reference to the Constitution of Kenya, Article 45 which clearly states that the family is the natural and fundamental unit of society and the necessary basis of social order, and shall enjoy the recognition and protection of the State,” they say.

“We, therefore, remind the Government of its constitutional responsibility and moral obligation to safeguard and protect the family against the LGBTQ+ ideology and other threats,” Catholic Bishops in Kenya say. 

They add that the Judiciary has an obligation to protect the country’s laws that criminalize homosexuality. 

(Story continues below)

In order to protect Kenyans and respect the Constitution, KCCB members call on the Supreme Court to review its ruling and overturn the decision.

“We insist that the Supreme Court of Kenya reviews this ruling, and determine that an association that seeks the promotion of illegal and immoral actions be overturned,” they say.

They add that if the ruling is not overturned, it will lead to the “breakdown of the moral fabric of our society, the institution of marriage and family and the future generations.”

“Normalizing these unions will make morality subjective, yet morality is an objective aspect of the universe. It is trying to make up your own morality and apply it to society. Legitimization of homosexuality and especially through decisions of the judiciary would lead to tolerance of evil,” KCCB members say. 

The Catholic Bishops also urge Kenyans to remain firm against the push to have the LGBTQ+ community registered in the East African nation. 

Kenyans should also “be vigilant to all the avenues the ideology of LGBTQ+ is being introduced in our schools and community” and “resist the ideological pressures that seek to destroy our families and uphold the value and Christian dignity of marriage and family.”  

“While acknowledging the reality posed by the challenge of LGBTQ+, we strongly call for the conversion of heart of all those who are seeking to promote this ideology and all those persons who may have deviant sexual orientation in our society,” Catholic Bishops in Kenya say in their statement dated March 10.