January 2016 – United Methodist Church bishops in Africa are challenging their peers in the U.S. UMC to fulfill their shepherding responsibilities regarding the church’s teaching on marriage and sexuality. In recent decades, a move has emerged in the U.S. UMC that advocates loudly for gay marriage and gay clergy, despite biblical and denominational prohibition of such sexual practices.
In their statement, the African bishops said they are “deeply saddened that the Holy Bible … and our Book of Discipline [the UMC’s official principles of faith and policy] are being grossly ignored by some members and leaders of our church in favor of social and cultural practices that have no scriptural basis for acceptance in Christian worship and conduct.”
The issue is expected to be heavily debated again at the UMC quadrennial General Conference later this year.
