In a notable departure from the stance of his fellow Roman Catholic bishops in Ghana, Cardinal Peter Turkson has voiced opposition to the criminalisation of homosexuality, directly challenging the stringent anti-LGBTQ+ bill currently under debate in Ghana’s parliament.
The proposed legislation in Ghana aims to impose harsh penalties on the LGBTQ+ community, with provisions for three-year prison sentences for those who identify as LGBTQ+ and up to a decade of imprisonment for advocates of LGBTQ+ rights. This bill represents a significant threat to the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community in the country.
Cardinal Turkson’s stance represents a significant shift from traditional Church views and aligns more closely with Pope Francis’s more open approach, particularly his recent indication of support for blessing same-sex unions. However, it’s important to note that the Pope has also reiterated the Church’s view of same-sex relationships as “objectively sinful,” maintaining its stance against same-sex marriage.
In an interview with the BBC, Cardinal Turkson stressed the importance of education in understanding homosexuality and asserted that individuals should not face criminalisation for their sexual orientation, as being LGBT is not a criminal act. He highlighted the complexity of cultural nuances in this discourse and criticised the impact of foreign donations influencing anti-LGBTQ+ measures in African countries. He urged caution against imposing views on cultures that are not yet ready to embrace them.
Cardinal Turkson’s comments come at a time when similar legislative efforts are unfolding across Africa, notably in Uganda, where proposed laws suggest life imprisonment and even death penalties for homosexuality, sparking international outrage.
As the first Ghanaian cardinal, appointed in 2003, and currently serving as the chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences, Cardinal Turkson’s views carry significant weight within the Church and the broader international community. His stance is crucial to the ongoing debate about LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana and Africa.
