Friday, October 29, 2010

On Martyrs and Betrayl

‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. --Matt 10:16-22
Anglicans across the globe will be marking today as the commemoration of James Hannington and dozens of other Anglican and Roman Catholic missionaries who have been beheaded or burned alive in the annals of time in Uganda. The country has seen much turmoil with secular leadership being either 'fer or a'gin' Christianity and the presence of foreign missionaries. Today, the country is 85-percent Christian, and that Christianity has taken a swing toward creating a new category of "other" in the country.
Fueled by evangelical Christians from the United States, Uganda's sometimes virulent hatred of LGBT people is rising to levels that should be getting the attention of Christians, especially leaders such as the Archbishop of Canterbury. As noted in my post, "The New Ugandan Martyrs?", a publication urging the hanging of leaders such as retired Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo for ministering to and protecting LGBT people should have been condemned by all bishops in the Communion. Sadly, only one, Bishop Mark Sisk of New York, has taken this up. According to Integrity USA, +Sisk wrote privately to the ABC asking him to please make a statement against such threatened violence. So far, not a word out of Lambeth.
Perhaps the Archbishop is too busy preparing for next month's General Synod and the ram-rodding through of the Anglican Covenant. Or perhaps he's still frothing at the mouth about duly-elected and consecrated LGBT bishops in the USA. Or perhaps, somehow, this story out of Uganda that has been on major networks such as CNN and BBC never reached his desk.
Or perhaps... he condones this attack on fellow members of God's kingdom. Unless ++Rowan says something, how are we to know what he really thinks?
"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Bishop Christopher and his wife appear to be safe. That's both literally and spiritually. LGBT people are grateful for his witness amidst the wolves in Africa. May others join him in proclaiming a gospel that is for ALL people.

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