Ole Sapit: Anglican bishops to lose jobs if convicted of homosexuality

Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit has urged courts not to interfere with the running and administration of churches in the country.

Speaking on Tuesday during a visit at St Peter’s Cathedral in Nyeri, Sapit encouraged the church to remain united amid the storm caused by homosexuality claims against the three priests.

Archbishop Sapit was keen to point out that if the ongoing homosexuality claims against the three Anglican Church of Kenya priests are confirmed, then the Church would not let them work as clerics.

“If the court exonerates them, we have no problem working with them. But if it is proved that they went against biblical teachings we will have no option but to reject them.

“Every profession has its own code of ethics. The Bible is very clear that adultery, homosexuality or fornication is a sin.  So we will be waiting for the court decision,” said Ole Sapit.

His sentiments were echoed by Mt. Kenya West Diocese Bishop Joseph Kagunda who had suspended the three until the courts ordered their reinstatement.

Kagunda was found to be in contempt of the 2016 ruling when he failed to reinstate the accused clergymen.

When Bishop Kagunda reinstated the trio, a section of church members from Witima, Thunguri and Kariki parishes where the three priests were deployed, protested the their return by boycotting service on Sunday, July 14, 2018.

Kagunda was keen to point out that if the claims are found to be false, then they would welcome the three priests back to the fold. He, however, noted that the only way back to the church was through repentance since the faithful had already rejected the priests.

Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who attended the Tuesday service, condemned the Judiciary which he accused of being out of touch with the community it serves.