Archbishop of Uganda Protests Appointment of LGBTQ+ Ally to Lead Anglican Church
Archbishop Steven Kaziimba Mugalu, head of the Church of Uganda, expressed strong opposition to the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. He criticized her support and advocacy for same-sex marriages as unbiblical.
Statement on the Appointment
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on October 3, Archbishop Kaziimba described the appointment as a significant rupture in the Anglican Communion. He emphasized that this decision from the Church of England's highest ranks marks a growing divide from the majority of the global Anglican community.
“I am writing to share the sad news that the Rt. Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, has been appointed as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Our sadness about this appointment is her support and advocacy for unbiblical positions on sexuality and same-sex marriage that reveal her departure from the historic Anglican positions that uphold the authority of Scripture for faith and life…. Church of Uganda considers this appointment to further deepen the tear in the fabric of the Anglican Communion that began in 2003 with the [Episcopalian Church] consecration as Bishop of a divorced father of two living in a same-sex relationship.”
Archbishop Kaziimba was referring to Gene Robinson, who became a bishop in the Episcopal Church (the American branch of the Anglican Communion) despite being a gay man in a same-sex relationship, a move that originally caused division in 2003.
Context of the Disagreement
- The Church of Uganda maintains traditional biblical teachings on marriage and sexuality.
- Sarah Mullally's appointment is seen as a shift towards affirming LGBTQ+ rights within the Anglican leadership.
- The divisions reflect ongoing tension within the Anglican Communion over doctrinal interpretations and social issues.
Author’s summary: Archbishop Kaziimba condemns Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury, viewing her LGBTQ+ support as a breach of scripture that deepens divides in the Anglican Communion.