D044 - Anglican Communion: Disassociation from the Actions of the Church of Nigeria

ORIGINAL TEXT

Resolution D044

Title: Disassociation from the Actions of the Church of Nigeria

Topic: Anglican Communion

Committee: 26. Special Legislative Committee

House of Initial Action: Bishops

Proposer: Dr. Harold H. Brown (Maine)

Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That the General Convention of The Episcopal Church in the United States disassociate itself from the actions of the Church of Nigeria which are inconsistent with the Commitments made by its bishops at Lambeth and Dromantine; and be it further
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church calls on Anglicans throughout the Communion to listen and respect the human rights of all homosexual persons.

EXPLANATION

It is with grave concern that we note the legislation before the Nigerian parliament that would prohibit or severely restrict the freedom of speech, association, expression and assembly of gay and lesbian persons in Nigeria. Such legislation is inconsistent with the United Nations' International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that recognizes these rights as derived from the inherent dignity of every human being. The strong support of this legislation by the Church of Nigeria is especially grievous. Whereas Lambeth 1998 resolution I.10 called on churches to listen to the experience of homosexual persons, the proposed legislation criminalizes civil and religious same-sex marriage as well as the public and private expression of same-sex affection, all public affiliation between gay persons, and even publicity, public support and media reporting. The proposed legislation, endorsed in an official communiqué of the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria signed by its Primate would make the very act of listening to homosexual persons impossible.