Reverend Mattew Kwasi Gyamfi has reiterated the Roman Catholic Church’s position on LGBTQ+ issues, aligning them with the recent views expressed by Cardinal Peter Turkson.
The Reverend in an exclusive interview on the Happy Morning Show with host Sefah Danquah, emphasized that the Cardinal’s statements accurately mirrored the global stance of the Roman Catholic Church, including that of the Pope and the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Addressing the ongoing LGBTQ+ debate in Ghana, Rev. Kwasi Gyamfi disclosed that the church had actively engaged in the discourse, sending letters and proposals to Parliament during the deliberations on LGBTQ+ issues and the proposed legislation.
He clarified that the Church’s position was not to criminalize individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ but rather to advocate for a compassionate approach, emphasizing love and guidance over punishment.
“The difference people don’t want to recognize is that it shouldn’t be a crime, but we want to make it a crime in Ghana which shouldn’t be the case. We have a lot of crimes in Ghana which go unpunished, and what we the Romans are saying is that the people who claim they identify as LGBTQ+ people shouldn’t be punished but loved and advised through the period,” stated Rev. Kwasi Gyamfi.
This declaration follows Cardinal Peter Turkson’s recent comments where he advocated against criminalizing homosexuality, emphasizing the need for education and understanding instead of punitive measures.
Parliament has been in discussions regarding a proposed bill that could impose severe penalties on the LGBTQ+ community, with measures including a three-year prison sentence for identifying as LGBTQ+ and up to 10 years in jail for advocating for LGBT rights.
Cardinal Turkson’s stance aligns with the Ghanaian bishops’ joint statement issued in August, asserting that Western countries should refrain from imposing foreign cultural values on Ghana.
The Roman Catholic Church in Ghana, through Rev. Mattew Kwasi Gyamfi, continues to play a significant role in shaping the narrative surrounding LGBTQ+ issues in the country.