Zambia: religious leaders blast US over link between gay rights, foreign aid

December 22, 2011

Zambia’s Christian leaders have reacted angrily to the United States government’s decision to link foreign aid with the promotion of “gay rights.”

“Donor aid should not be tied to promoting immorality,” said Father Paul Samasumo, spokesman for Zambia’s bishops.

“For us as a nation, we cannot go in that direction because it is indecent and can erode our morals as society,” added Rev. Gibson Nyirenda, a spokesman for Pentecostal leaders. “Let’s remain a Christian nation by ignoring such assistance.”

Echoing the Christian leaders’ statements, Given Lubinda, the nation’s minister of information, broadcasting, and tourism, said that Zambia would not cave in to pressure from the West on homosexuality.

The nation of 13.5 million is 33% Catholic, according to Vatican statistics.

 

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Further information:

• Zambian churches unhappy with US stance to tie aid to homosexual rights (CNS)
• Promotion of gay rights worldwide is a US foreign policy priority, says Clinton (CWN, 12/9)