Church Annoyed by Norway’s Support for Homosexuals
All
Africa News Agency, January 11, 1999
LUSAKA (AANA) – The revelation by Norway that it funded a
campaign for homosexuals to fight for their rights in Zambia has attracted condemnation
from a cross-section of church leaders in the Southern African country.
Norwegian Ambassador to Zambia Jon Lomoy told the local media in late November 1998
that he funded a campaign for homosexuals and lesbians to form an association through
which they can fight for their rights and general recognition.
Mr. Lomoy said the US$ 1,000 donation was meant to organize workshops and radio
programmes on gay rights in Zambia. The money was channeled through the Zambia Independent
Monitoring Team (ZIMT), the parent body of all human rights non-governmental organisations
in the country.
But the donation and general support of Norway for homosexuality has received all-round
condemnation from the church.
Leading the attack, the United Church of Zambia (UCG) priest for Kamenza parish in
Chililabombwe, over 400 kilometres from Lusaka said, "Homosexuality upsets the order
of God in which male and female were created. If Norway has money to spend, let that money
go towards alleviating poverty among the many Zambians rather than on unnatural
schemes."
Rev. Jon Simukonde told an AANA correspondent that the declaration of Zambia as a
Christian nation some three years ago was meant to safeguard Christian values, but
"homosexuality defies these norms."
In support, Church of God overseer for central and Southern Africa, Bishop John Mambo
called on all Christians to unite in condemning Norway’s stance on gays. Other clergy
from a cross-section of churches have expressed similar views.
The state too is not left out in the debate. Foreign Affairs minister Kelly Walubita
has since summoned the Norwegian envoy to his office to explain "certain things"
about homosexuality.
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