Archbishop of Uganda Protests Appointment of LGBTQ+ Ally to Lead Anglican Church
Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Steven Kaziimba Mugalu, has 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, calling it unbiblical.
Statement on the Appointment
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on October 3, Kaziimba described the appointment as a serious division within the Anglican Communion. He condemned the decision as a move by the Church of England's leadership that isolates it 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.”
Reference to Past Controversy
Kaziimba was referring to Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop consecrated by the Episcopal Church in the United States, which is part of the Anglican Communion. This event in 2003 first caused significant friction within the Communion.
Impact on the Anglican Communion
- The appointment highlights ongoing tensions regarding LGBTQ+ issues within the global Anglican community.
- It signals a continuing split between the Church of England's leadership and more conservative Anglican provinces like Uganda.
Author's summary: The Archbishop of Uganda condemns Dame Sarah Mullally’s appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury, citing her LGBTQ+ advocacy as a departure from biblical and traditional Anglican teachings.