A Gospel of Intolerance

By John Bryson Chane
Sunday, February 26, 2006

1) "Meeting last February, the primates who lead our 38 member provinces issued a unanimous statement that said in part: 'The victimization or diminishment of human beings whose affections happen to be ordered towards people of the same sex is anathema to us.'"

2) "Archbishop Peter J. Akinola, primate of the Church of Nigeria and leader of the conservative wing of the communion, recently threw his prestige and resources behind a new law that criminalizes same-sex marriage in his country and denies gay citizens the freedoms to assemble and petition their government."

3) ..."Nigerian law has crossed the line in several important respects." "Any person involved in the 'sustenance, procession or meetings, publicity and public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly' is subject to five years' imprisonment."

4) "...his contempt for international agreements also extends to...the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which articulates the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, association and assembly...".

5) "I also feel compelled to ask the archbishop's many high-profile supporters in this country why they have not publicly dissociated themselves from his attack on the human rights of a vulnerable population."