Reflections on Bishop Christopher's Tour

The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle has written two articles in the local press about Bishop Christopher's "Compass to Compassion" tour  about LGBT rights in Uganda, which was launched here at St Paul's Cathedral in August.  We've quoted just a small part here; click on the links to read the complete articles.

In his first article, Albert writes,

The influence of the 76 million strong Anglican Church remains profoundly powerful. Of the more than 500 African bishops who serve as spiritual leaders who largely support criminalization of LGBT people, why is it that Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, at 80 years old, is the ONLY significant voice of reason right now coming out of Africa?...

What does it actually take to get the leaders of the church and governments to face up to unnecessary discrimination that would deny access to HIV information and services to millions of Africans and other members of the Commonwealth merely because they are LGBT?…

The bishop has a lot of support among clergy and bishops (some of whom he taught) but are afraid of the consequences of aligning themselves with a more inclusive model of the church that might welcome the marginalized. So the bishop’s tour was most of all a clear message to younger bishops and politicians in Africa and in the Commonwealth, that there is support for them and a compassionate message in significant parts of the world.

In the second piece, Albert highlights the "challenge of progressive ambivalence" while discussing a conference on the issues held in New York

Despite the warm welcome and support of individual donors, parishes and a few foundations, we are still waiting for a significant groundswell of support from this country for progressive programs in Africa.

We see this ambivalence equally in the faith community as well as in the human rights/secular community.....The Dean of Trinity Cathedral Portland hit the nail on the head when he spoke to 900 congregants:

"There is a difference between encouragement and support. The bishop is here because he needs our support."…

We invited the heads of all significant liberal denominations and their public policy and communication staff but few actually showed up. Similarly we invited many of the LGBT organizations across the country but these issues are not in the forefront of LGBT domestic issues – yet. Instead, we had a room full of well-connected and highly motivated individuals and organizations who are creating the COMPASS Coalition (Coalition on Minority Protection Against Sexual Stigma ).

The article finishes with a discussion of the future, including a proposed conference on the issues at Harvard, and a new coalition.

Follow the links for more information on the Compass Coalition; and the St Paul's Foundation for International Reconciliation.