Africa
“Burundi’s President Call For Stoning Of Gay Couples Over Global LGBTQ+ Rights Debate
He urged individuals who support such beliefs to remain abroad
Bujumbura, Burundi– Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye sparked widespread controversy by vehemently denouncing same-sex marriage as an “abominable practice” and advocating for the stoning of gay couples.
His position, based on religious reasons, has raised concerns about human rights and garnered condemnation from various quarters within the international community.
The President, recognized for his conservative Christian views, had previously advocated for the expulsion and social exclusion of homosexuals, further emphasizing his stance against the LGBTQ+ community.
President Ndayishimiye criticized Western nations that oppose LGBTQ+ rights and boldly rejected aid from those advocating such practices. He urged individuals who support such beliefs to remain abroad, underscoring his defiance against external pressures on the matter.
“This strong stance is in line with the conservative Christian values prevalent in the Great Lakes country, where same-sex relations are punishable by imprisonment.
This statement comes in response to global discussions on LGBTQ+ rights, with notable developments, including Pope Francis’ declaration on December 18th regarding the blessing of homosexual couples.
While this marks a symbolic shift in the Catholic Church’s stance, it’s essential to note that the Church maintains a clear distinction between homosexual and heterosexual marriages.
The Vatican’s doctrine of the “one true marriage” underscores its position that while marriage for all is tolerated, it is not yet fully accepted within the Catholic religion.
However, implementing such changes globally is a complex endeavour. Despite the Vatican’s guidance, the ability to enforce a shift in mentality and impose measures across all Catholic communities proves challenging.
Several African churches have already signalled their resistance to these advances. For instance, the bishops of Cameroon explicitly rejected any change, stating, “We formally prohibit all blessings of homosexual couples.” Similarly, Togo has expressed openness to individuals in same-sex relationships but encourages priests to refrain from blessing such couples.
This dynamic reflects the ongoing struggle within the Catholic Church to reconcile differing perspectives on LGBTQ+ issues, illustrating the tension between global doctrinal shifts and the autonomy of individual religious communities, particularly in conservative regions like Africa.
