Friday, January 28, 2011

Statement from the Bishops of New York

Statement on the Murder of David Kato
by the Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of New York

January 28, 2011

Like many around the world, we are horrified to learn of the vicious murder of Ugandan LGBT rights activist David Kato in Mukono, Kampala. Though the circumstances of Mr. Kato's death are still under investigation, we know that he, along with other activists in Uganda have lived under the threat of violence and imprisonment in recent times. Mr. Kato, who was the advocacy officer for Sexual Minorities Uganda, as well as Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo and many others, was targeted last fall in a Ugandan magazine.

All LGBT persons along with their advocates are at risk due to the general hostility toward them in Uganda and, in particular, due to pending legislation which would call for imprisonment or even death.

We call upon all people of good will, and especially the people of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and our sister and brother Anglicans around the world, to stand in solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons, and to resist language, laws and actions which marginalize and even criminalize their relationships.

Further, given the current hostile climate in Uganda, we call upon the Anglican church of Uganda to speak up for human rights for all God's children. Further, we call upon the United States government to grant asylum to LGBT persons from Uganda and other nations where the threat of violence is great.

We pray for the repose of the soul of David Kato, for his family and friends as they mourn, and for the LGBT community in Uganda and their allies as they struggle for an end to the fear and violence, which threaten them every day.

+Mark
The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk
Bishop of New York


+Catherine
The Rt. Rev. Catherine S. Roskam
Bishop Suffragan of New York


+Andrew
The Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith
Assistant Bishop of New York

4 comments:

heartafire said...

To those who may be more interested in facts than their own agenda, I commend the following article:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/01/28/ozatp-uganda-murder-idAFJOE70R00S20110128

JCF said...

Susan, please remove troll.

Nicole Porter said...

Why is he/she a troll? Having different viewpoints makes one a troll? His murder was deplorable, absolutely extremist and unwarranted. Who ever did that was no Christian or whatever religious background they may belong to. You don't murder. Life is God's to give and take.

LGMarshall said...

The hateful atmosphere is horrendous in Uganda. David Kato was innocent, yet suffered so much injustice in his short life.

Tragedy struck too soon, as he was murdered in his own home. The murder suspect, Nsubuga Enock, is thought to be Kato's housemate, who fled the scene wearing Kato's clothing. Investigators are saying that Robbery was the motive.

We all pray that the Investigations brings the right person to face murder charges.

Police say that Kato once bailed Enock out of jail on robbery charges.