A group of 12 senior pastors from the United Methodist Church (UMC) has tendered their resignation in response to the church’s recent decision to reconsider its stance on homosexuality.
This move comes after the church voted to remove its long-standing condemnation of homosexuality, citing it as no longer aligned with Christian teachings.
At a press conference in Harare, Reverend Forbes Matonga, one of the resigning pastors, expressed his disappointment and concern over the church’s new direction.
“Our beloved church has now fully embraced and celebrates homosexuality as a gift from God, which is a stark contrast to traditional Christian values,” he stated.
The decision to resign follows the UMC’s General Conference in the United States, where church leaders voted to revise the Social Principles by removing language that deemed homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.”
The revised policy allows for the ordination and appointment of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals,” a move that was met with opposition from the Zimbabwean delegation.
However delegation of Zimbabwe was no match to other delegation leading to 12 clergymen resigning.
