A Sierra Leonean Methodist clergyman, Bishop John Yambasu on Sunday evening made a pro-LGBTI speech while on a visit to the US saying that sexual orientation is one of many identities that tie people together.
He stated that people relate better to those who share the same sexual orientation. He also stressed the difficulty to talk about sexuality, both in Africa and in the United States. “I’m reminded here that in Africa, sex is a very delicate issue that you don’t openly talk about,” Yambasu stated.
“And I also understand that here in American it is also just as sensitive.”
According to report in theseattlelesbian.com, Bishop Yambasu of the United Methodist Church said, “Our lives will be judged, not by the affiliations we have, but by how we spent the life that God gave us.”
Yambasu was speaking in Tampa, Florida, USA, at an Africana Dinner held at the United Methodist Church General Conference on Sunday evening.
The Black Methodists for Church Renewal, a coalition partner with the Love Your Neighbour Campaign, sponsored the dinner.
Yambasu preached his vision of heaven: “When we all get to heaven, there will only be one question aske
d of us. It will be, ‘Did spend your time on Earth making it a better place?’”
Rev. Dr Derrick Spiva, a member of the board of directors of Reconciling Ministries Network- who was present at the event- said, “I heard a clear message that gay and lesbian people are a vital part of the church.”
Spiva said, “It is a significant step that an African Bishop acknowledged the reality and personhood of gay and lesbian people, and that they are an important part of the church. Clearly, Bishop Yambasu was preaching ‘all means all.’”
The General Conference is meeting in Tampa, and considered nearly 100 resolutions concerning the inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the United Methodist Church. The Love Your Neighbour campaign is a common witness for the moral equality of LGBT United Methodists.
by Akoro Joseph Sewedo
Source – Behind The Mask
