Ghana's Catholic Bishops have urged Parliament to expedite the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, which was reopened after MPs passed it earlier. The Bishops want the Bill handled quickly, considering its moral, social, cultural, and human rights implications. This appeal was made in a communiqué issued at the close of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference's annual Plenary Assembly, held from November 3 to 14.
The Bishops' communiqué came after Parliament rescinded its May 29 passage of the Bill due to discrepancies found by the Legislation Drafting Department. The Department discovered that parts of the final text did not match the decisions made by MPs during debate. The Bishops see this rescission as an opportunity to resolve the Bill's problems and reiterate the Church's commitment to the sanctity of human life and the dignity of every person.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference President, Bishop of Sunyani Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, signed the communiqué. In it, the Bishops also requested a targeted state of emergency in galamsey hotspots. Furthermore, they restated Church teaching on human life, marriage, family, and human sexuality, as they did in April. The Bishops' statement reflects their concern for the moral and social implications of the Bill.
Majority Leader James Agalga moved the rescission motion, describing the corrections as technical. He promised that President John Mahama will receive the Bill this month, before the House rises. To become law, the Bill must undergo a second consideration and pass a fresh third reading. Once it reaches the President, Article 106 of the Constitution gives him seven days to decide whether to assent or refuse the Bill, or send it to the Council of State.
Before the rescission, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, urged President Mahama to sign the Bill unchanged. He opposes the exemptions for professionals added in May. The Minority's stance highlights the divisions within Parliament regarding the Bill. The Catholic Bishops' call for expediency aims to ensure the Bill's passage while adhering to constitutional rules.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference's plenary assembly was held at Jamasi's Divine Providence Pastoral Centre in the Konongo-Mampong Diocese. During the assembly, the Bishops also expressed concern over allegations of child abuse in schools. They voiced alarm at reports of adults in schools sexually abusing children in their care, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address this issue.
The Catholic Bishops' statement on the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill reflects their commitment to promoting moral and social values. As the Bill moves forward, the Bishops' call for expediency and constitutional fidelity will likely continue to influence the debate. The Bill's passage will have significant implications for human rights and social issues in Ghana, making the Catholic Bishops' involvement a crucial aspect of the process.
Key points
- The Catholic Bishops are urging Parliament to handle the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill quickly, considering its moral and social implications.
