This Resolution clearly contradicts the Holy Scriptures and God's plan for creation as He created humankind as man and woman to complement each other physically and emotionally. Indeed the church must provide pastoral care for all, whether heterosexuals or homosexuals. However the church should not alter the teachings of the Holy Scriptures that was interpreted by the majority churches globally, to provide such pastoral care. The aim of pastoral care is to restore people to the bosom of God where they encounter His love and design to live a life according to His plan.

We are against any criminalization of homosexuals, they are like all of us, need God's mercy, grace and salvation. The church is intended by its Lord to be the holy leaven to shape society by its spiritual and moral values in line with God's design. But sadly, by this action of TEC, the church gives way to the society to alter and shape its values. In other words the church is losing its distinctiveness as salt and light in this world. "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2)

This statement is approved by:
The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Anis, Archbishop, Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa and Chairman of Global South.
The Most Rev. Ian Ernest, Primate of the Indian Ocean and General Secretary of Global South. The Most Rev. Bolly Lapok, Primate of South East Asia and treasure of the Global South. The Most Rev. Stephen Than Myint Oo, Primate of Myanmar.
The Most Rev. Hector "Tito" Zavala, Primate of the Anglican Church of South America.
The Rt. Rev. John Chew, member of the GS Global South steering committee, former GS chairman.

* The above mentioned GS Primates are the ones who sent their approval and amendments before posting this statement. We will add the names of those who will send their approval after.

*****

God Gave Them Over Into a Depraved Mind

Middle East Anglican Archbishop Mouneer Hanna Anis's statement regarding the US Supreme Court Ruling for same-sex marriage.

It is sad to hear that The US Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex marriage is a legal right across the United States. The excuse for this is promoting human rights and achieving
equality. I think that this ruling is wrong and will have serious and destructive consequences on the American society and other societies, which will follow the steps of the United
States.

There is no doubt that this decision contradicts God's purpose and plan for the creation in a clear way. We know that God created human on his image as male and female to "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (Genesis 1:28) He also created man and woman to complement each other
physically and psychologically.

God's plan is the best for human being, however the ruling of same sex marriage which contradicts God's plan, will lead to human misery and disintegration of the family hence the damage and collapse of the whole society. This is what Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Rome, when he said: "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same
way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done." (Romans 1: 26-28)

In the west there are a growing number of people In spite of the growing number of people who are pro same sex marriage, however we see millions of people who oppose this ruling because they cling to the Bible's teachings in this issue. This is the best response for those who claim that same sex marriage is acceptable in the western culture. If it is so, then why so many westerns reject this idea. Here I must record my admiration for the statement made by Archbishop Foley Beach, of the Anglican Church in North America, who opposed this decision strongly.

We urge all American and Western churches to adhere to the teachings of the scripture and God's plan for relations; they should resist societal pressures to make same sex marriage a norm. The Church has to remain as the light that conquers the darkness and the evils of this world. Churches in the West should shape their society with their spiritual values and should not permit the opposite where society shapes the values of the Church.

"We must obey God rather than human beings!" (Acts 5:29) Having said this we should not be homophobic, in the contrary We should pastorally care for those with homosexual orientation and love them in order to live a life pleasing to God Almighty.

This means that we should not deal with them as criminals but as fellow humans who need God's Grace.

+ Mouneer Egypt
The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis
Archbishop of Episcopal / Anglican Diocese of Egypt
with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
Chairman of the Global South