Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Episcopalians condemn murder of Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato

Presiding bishop: Kato's murder deprives his people of a significant and effective voice

By Matthew Davies

[Episcopal News Service] The brutal murder of Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato has left much of the world in shock and caused outrage among Episcopalians who have repeatedly called for the church and society to step up the campaign to combat homophobia throughout the world.

The Rev. Cynthia Black, interim rector of Church of the Epiphany in Plymouth, Minnesota, told ENS that Kato was "a valiant crusader for human rights. His death is a rallying cry for the church and the gay community -- the killing and persecution of gay people around the globe must stop. Who will be the next to die?"

Kato was reportedly bludgeoned to death in his home community during the afternoon of Jan. 26 and local police put the motive down to robbery. But Kato had received several death threats since October 2010 when his photo had appeared on the front page of a newspaper alongside that of former Ugandan Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo under a banner reading "Hang Them." Both men have been outspoken advocates for human rights in Uganda, where current laws on homosexuality carry sentences of up to life imprisonment.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_126764_ENG_HTM.htm

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