Archbishop Welby’s letter said Gay people are valued by God
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to the presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, after being asked about laws there penalizing gay people.
The letter said homosexual people were loved and valued by God and should not be victimized or diminished.
Nigeria and Uganda have both passed legislation targeting people with same-sex attraction.
Archbishops Justin Welby of Canterbury and John Sentamu of York said the letter was a result of questions about the Church of England’s attitude to new legislation in several countries that penalizes people with same-sex attraction.
In Nigeria this month, President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law a bill which bans same-sex marriages, gay groups and shows of same-sex public affection.
In Uganda – Archbishop Sentamu’s native country – a bill allowing for greater punishments for gay people, and those who fail to turn them in to police, has been passed by parliament, but blocked – for now – by President Yoweri Museveni.
The laws have been heavily criticised by gay and human rights groups.
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay described the Nigerian law as “draconian”.
BBC.