Bishop Christopher Senyonjo was shunned after he disagreed with the hardline stance of Uganda’s Anglican Church.

The 78 year-old was in California giving a talk in Sacramento’s Trinity Cathedral as part of a tour to raise awareness of the problems facing LGBT people in his home country. Senyonjo believes that compassion begins when you walk in another’s shoes and see how dangerous the path they tread is. He added that much needs to be done for the LGBT community both in Uganda and further afield.

Senyonjo says his life changed in 1998 when gay men began to come to him for counselling: “They came to me because they were being regularly harassed, abused and misunderstood by their families, their schools and the church.” He added, “When people are hurt, they come to the church because that is where they expect to receive compassion.” He reassured them of God’s love and urged them to accept themselves. However, he was opposed by the Anglican Church. He explained, “My church said, ‘Unless you condemn these people, we will not work with you.’”

An anti-gay bill which advocates the death penalty for homosexuals is likely to be resurrected in Uganda after attracting condemnation earlier this year.

[Via The Sacramento Bee]

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