Malawi pastor says dialogue reducing discrimination and violence against homosexuals
Chairperson for Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected with HIV and Aids (MANERELA)-Mangochi Branch Pastor Gamaliyele has admitted that dialogue meetings between religious leaders and members of the LGBTI persons have tremendously helped in reducing discrimination and violenve against members of the LGBTI community.
The servant of God disclosed this recently in Mangochi at a meeting MANERELA organised between the Clergy and members of the LGBTI with funding from Arcus Foundation.
According to Pastor Gamaliyele, previously there have been increased cases of discrimination and violation of human rights for the LGBTI persons and other minority groups.
“Discrimination against LGBTI persons has been on the rise in Mangochi and Malawi at large and has been fuelled by faith community but the coming in of the project ‘Building LGBTI Inclusive Faith Communities in Malawi has helped to reduce such cases” said Gamaliyele.
“I am glad to report that we in Malawi we have LGBTI confirming congregarion in some Churches here a thing which was not common,” he added
He further revealed that Religious Leaders are now fully able to understand Sexuality and Sexual Orientation and challenges that the LGBTI’s face.
The pastor said it is paramount to treat each other fairly regardless of race, tribe, colour, sexual orientations among others.
On their part, MANERELA Project Officers Harold Kachepatsonga and Allies Mwachande said it is unfortunate that LGBTI persons are excessively offended and regarded as the biggest sinners. “It is important that these violating LGBTI are often defended on the grounds of culture or religion. By the way, which culture or religion in the world has discrimination and violence as its value?” wondered Kachepatsonga.
Adding on Kachepatsonga’s sentiments, Mwachande said MABERELA exist and will continue to fight Stigma, Shame, Descrimination, Denial, Inaction and Misaction.
“Therefore, we will not allow anyone to be descriminated vecause of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. This is unacceptable and wrong and we are therefore advise faith leaders not to be on fore front promoting discrimination” said Mwachande while begging all Malawians to leave together in peace and for the betterment of the
country.
Men of God don’t sugar court a sin . A sin will always remain a sin no matter how hard you may try to justify it. If the bible clearly says we are the light of the World or Christ Ambassadors so you should act like one or which Christ are you representing? If I may ask unless you are representing the Kingdom of darkness. Let the word of God remain pure don’t twist in order to make somebody happy (donors). If a LGBTI member wants to repent before God so far so good welcome him/her but if she or… Read more »
Tazingodyani Ma allowance wo. No wonder nothing bad things continue in our country. As faith leaders you are suppossed to be on forefront teaching pple abt good behaviour. Which faith tolerate things like gayism, lesbianism, prostitution and other bad things. We are setting bad precedence just for Money. I feel sad seeing my country sacrificing molarity for money. We seem not to care abt tomorrow.
Really??? Men of God????