ELCT voices a big `no’ to same-sex marriages

By Mkinga Mkinga

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) has distanced itself from the recognition of same-sex marriages by Lutheran churches in the US and Sweden.

The head of the ELCT, Bishop Alex Malasusa, said during his Easter Mass sermon at the Azania Front Church in Dar es Salaam that the local church did not support the decision because it was against God’s word.

He said Lutheran churches in the US and Sweden had strayed from the Scriptures, and it was up to Africa to bring them back into line.

“ELCT has refused to recognise the decision to allow same-sex marriages because it is against the Holy Bible. It is in direct contravention of God’s word, which has not changed,” Bishop Malasusa said.

He added that Tanzania and Africa had taken a common stand on the issue and would not waver.

“It’s time Africa preached to the rest of the world and remind them of God’s word because it seems they have forgotten what the Bible says,” Bishop Malasusa said amid cheers from worshippers who attended the Mass. To avoid undue influence from the US and Sweden, Bishop Malasusa urged the church in Tanzania and across Africa to strive for financial and economic independence.

“We should be independent so that they don’t use their money and wealth to threaten us…we should leave them with their money and stick to the word of God,” he said.

Source