UGANDA –Following the letter written yesterday to the Anglican Churches in Uganda and Nigeria by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York warning that gays and lesbians should not be victimized, the head of Anglican Church in Uganda has replied that homosexuality is incompatible with Scripture.

Archbishop Ntagali said he hoped the Church of England would “step back from the path” it had set itself on “so the Church of Uganda will be able to maintain communion with our own Mother Church”.

He added that the Church of Uganda had been encouraged that the country’s parliament had amended the Anti-Homosexuality Bill to remove the death penalty, and make other provisions of the bill less severe – all amendments which he said the Church had recommended.

“The Church is a safe place for individuals, who are confused about their sexuality or struggling with sexual brokenness, to seek help and healing,” said Archbishop Ntagali.

It would be recalled that Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu said they were responding to questions asked about the Church of England’s attitude to laws penalising “people with same-sex attraction”.

According to them, homosexuals were loved and valued by God and deserved the “best pastoral care and friendship”.

The Ugandan Church, along with others in Africa, has broken its ties with Anglicans in North America over the issue of gay ordinations and same-sex blessings.

Archbishop Ntagali makes it clear that he thinks Anglican leaders from the US and Canada should not be invited to the 2018 Lambeth Conference.