Archbishop Sentamu attacks gay marriages
By George Murumba
13th Feb 2012:
Dr John Sentamu: Eternally controversial
The outspoken Ugandan born Archbishop of York in the United Kingdom Dr. John Sentamu has come out strongly against the British government’s plans to change the definition of marriage, a move that would allow gay couples to get married in holy matrimony.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the eternally controversial Archbishop said, “…marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. I don’t think it is the role of the state to define what marriage is. It is set in tradition and history and you can’t just change it overnight no matter how powerful you are.”
Dr. John Sentamu, who is the older brother of Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre, also stated that the government would be acting like dictators if they tried to change it. “…We have seen dictators do it in different contexts, and I don’t want to redefine very clear social structures that have been in existence for a long time then overnight the state believes it can go a particular way.”
He added that, “…it’s almost like somebody telling you that the church, whose job it is to worship God, will be an arm of the Armed Forces. They must take arms and fight. You’re completely changing tradition.” The Church of England has in principle accepted the concept of civil partnership to extend legal rights to gay couples.
But it has also resisted any attempts to blur the distinction between civil partnerships and marriage, arguing, as Sentamu does, “marriage” is strictly a union between a man and a woman, not same sex couples. For that reason, Sentamu warned, that any attempts to change the definition of marriage will cause a rebellion.
“…The rebellion is going to come not only from the bishops. You’re going to get it from across the benches and in the Commons.” the Archbishop said. The “Commons” is a short reference to the British parliament the House of Commons. END. Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
