The United Methodist Church split apart in Zimbabwe after they decided to let gay people join. Former church boss Reverend Forbes Matonga quit along with several church elders who felt the same way. Last year in America, church leaders voted to welcome gay members starting May 3.
Matonga told reporters in Harare that accepting gay people breaks important Bible rules. "We think being gay goes against what Christians teach. Most African countries make it illegal, and all African cultures see it as wrong," he explained. "Wrong acts stay wrong everywhere. They cannot be bad here but fine somewhere else in the same church. Bad behavior affects everyone regardless of race or country. God remains holy, and humans cannot change divine standards."
Matonga claimed church leaders tricked members by hiding what really happened at their big meeting. "Many Zimbabwe members have no idea what passed at the 2024 general conference. Even most priests remain clueless. Those of us who attended never got a chance to tell others." He mentioned a new church rulebook coming soon that removes language calling homosexuality "against Christian teachings."
He blamed American church leaders for attacking both the Bible and the church laws they should protect. This made conservative American members leave back in 2022. African bishops kept regular church members from learning the truth about these changes. Matonga expects people will call him "colonial" and "power hungry," just like they labeled others who left before. He believes the church created "regionalization" just to stop people from talking about gay issues.
Matonga told reporters in Harare that accepting gay people breaks important Bible rules. "We think being gay goes against what Christians teach. Most African countries make it illegal, and all African cultures see it as wrong," he explained. "Wrong acts stay wrong everywhere. They cannot be bad here but fine somewhere else in the same church. Bad behavior affects everyone regardless of race or country. God remains holy, and humans cannot change divine standards."
Matonga claimed church leaders tricked members by hiding what really happened at their big meeting. "Many Zimbabwe members have no idea what passed at the 2024 general conference. Even most priests remain clueless. Those of us who attended never got a chance to tell others." He mentioned a new church rulebook coming soon that removes language calling homosexuality "against Christian teachings."
He blamed American church leaders for attacking both the Bible and the church laws they should protect. This made conservative American members leave back in 2022. African bishops kept regular church members from learning the truth about these changes. Matonga expects people will call him "colonial" and "power hungry," just like they labeled others who left before. He believes the church created "regionalization" just to stop people from talking about gay issues.
