Ghanaian Cardinal Challenges Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, Defies Church’s Traditional Stance

Cardinal Peter Turkson, a prominent Ghanaian priest of the Roman Catholic Church, has taken a bold stance against the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bill currently under consideration in Ghana’s parliament. 

The bill, which could lead to severe penalties for the LGBTQ+ community, has faced strong opposition from the cardinal, contradicting the position of other Roman Catholic bishops in the country who label homosexuality as a crime.

The cardinal’s perspective aligns more closely with the recent indications of Pope Francis, who expressed openness to blessing same-sex couples. 

However, the Pope clarified that the Church still views same-sex relationships as “objectively sinful” and does not endorse same-sex marriage.

Cardinal Turkson’s divergence from the traditional stance of the Church emphasizes the need for education to foster understanding of homosexuality. 

In a recent interview with the BBC, he asserted that individuals within the LGBTQ+ community should not be criminalized, as they have committed no crime.

The cardinal acknowledged cultural nuances but criticized the influence of foreign donations on African countries’ anti-LGBT measures. He cautioned against imposing positions on cultures that may not be ready to accept them.

This development comes amid ongoing parliamentary debates in Ghana on a bill that proposes three-year prison sentences for identifying as LGBTQ+, with up to 10 years for those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

Cardinal Turkson’s vocal opposition adds a significant voice to the discourse on human rights and LGBTQ+ issues in the region.

Cardinal Turkson, the first-ever Ghanaian cardinal appointed in 2003, holds a prominent position as the chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences. 

His advocacy for tolerance and understanding in the face of increasing anti-LGBTQ+ measures in Africa is likely to spark further discussions within both the Church and the broader community.