Pope Benedict XVI's Missed Opportunity to Condemn Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill

by Michael Jones · 2009-12-24 08:35:00 UTC
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Pope BenedictMaybe it's because he has to celebrate Christmas Eve mass two hours earlier than usual, but Pope Benedict XVI sent a welcome letter to Uganda's new Holy See Ambassador, Francis K. Butagira, with a pretty glaring ommission: condemnation of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill. That's a missed opportunity for Pope Benedict XVI to join the chorus of voices urging Uganda to defeat proposed legislation that would institute the death penalty for some members of the LGBT population, and imprison many others.

The Vatican's legal attaché, Rev. Philip Bene, did go on record last week saying that Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill would institute "unjust discrimination." But Pope Benedict XVI had a massive opportunity to drive home that message with his direct letter to the Ugandan Ambassador, and he missed it. He missed it big time.

So what did the Pope say in his letter? He commended the country for creating a climate of freedom and respect. Oh no you didn't, Pope Benedict XVI....

The Pope praised the Ugandan government for allowing the Catholic Church to work inside the country in a welcoming and accepting culture. In Uganda, what's good enough for Catholics sure as heck isn't good enough for LGBT people.

"...the climate of freedom and respect in your nation towards the Catholic Church has allowed her to be faithful to her proper mission," writes Pope Benedict XVI. "The fruits of cooperation between the Church and the State, especially in areas related to development, education and healthcare, are widely recognized. Indeed, such a solid foundation should promote personal integrity, justice and fairness in local communities and hope for the whole nation, both among those who govern and among the general population, and should be an important factor in stability and growth."

Sounds like the Vatican and the Ugandan government are dating, right? What a blown chance for the Church to live up to its supposed identity as a peacemaker. Words like "personal integrity," "justice," and "fairness" might sound nice. But they don't mean anything if you can't apply them to all of Uganda's population.

(Photo courtesy of Jenny Rockett/UN Photo.)

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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