Archbishop of Uganda Condemns Appointment of LGBTQ+ Ally as Anglican Leader
Rev. Steven Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, expressed strong opposition to the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. He criticized her known support for same-sex marriages as unbiblical.
Archbishop's Statement on the Appointment
In a statement published on X (formerly Twitter) on October 3, Archbishop Kaziimba described the selection as a serious rupture in the unity of the Anglican Communion. He characterized it as a painful decision by the Church of England's leadership that distances itself 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.”
Kaziimba was referencing the 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson—a gay priest promoted to bishop by the Episcopal Church, the American branch of the Anglican Communion.
Context of Anglican Communion Division
- The division in the Anglican Communion intensified following Gene Robinson’s consecration.
- Dame Sarah Mullally’s advocacy for same-sex marriage is seen by Ugandan leaders as continuing that divide.
- The Church of Uganda adheres strictly to traditional interpretations of Scripture regarding sexuality.
This appointment highlights ongoing tensions within the global Anglican community over issues related to sexuality and biblical interpretation.
Summary
The Ugandan Archbishop sharply criticizes the new Archbishop of Canterbury’s pro-LGBTQ+ stance, viewing it as a deepening division within the Anglican Communion rooted in conflicting views on biblical authority and sexuality.