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As South Africa Approves Homosexual 'Marriage' , Tanzania Reaffirms Stand for Traditional Marriage

By Meg Jalsevac

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, November 17, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a highly controversial move, the government of South Africa voted on Tuesday to legalize homosexual civil unions and marriages.  South Africa is the first African nation to legalize any form of homosexual union. 

In direct response, the slightly northern African country of Tanzania has come out reaffirming the fact that its code of law deems homosexual acts illegal and will not change any time soon.

The South African bill passed 230 to 41 after the ruling African National Congress ordered all MPs to be present and vote in favor of the bill's passage.  A movement to change the definition of marriage was initiated last year when the Constitutional Court ruled that the existing definition was discriminatory against homosexuals.  

The official wording of the South African bill allows for "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union."  South Africa's previous Marriage Act defined marriage as "a union between one man and one woman." 
  
Christian leaders across the country spoke out in opposition to the bill both prior to the vote and since it passed.  African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe told MPs that, if they voted in favor of the bill, they would face divine wrath.

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, president of the South African Catholic Bishops' Conference, said that, in reality, the majority of South Africa's population is opposed to homosexual unions and approval of the bill would denigrate the democratic system in Africa. 

Napier addressed the members of a public hearing while the bill was being considered and explained that the Catholic Church viewed homosexuality as "intrinsically evil" but not the homosexual person himself.  Napier warned that legalizing homosexual unions would eventually lead the public to look on homosexual acts as "morally neutral".

Mr Johnson Mwanyika, Attorney General of Tanzania, was quick to address the South African vote.  He said that it is highly unlikely that Tanzanian law would be influenced by the South African vote any time soon.  He said such a change would contradict the current laws, religious beliefs and cultural and social norms of Tanzania.  He said, "It is not likely that such a thing could happen in our generation, maybe in future generations. Such a thing is simply not compatible with our culture and different faiths in the country."

The South African bill grants public and church officials a 'conscience clause', giving them the right not to perform same-sex ceremonies if it would contradict their "conscience, religion and belief".

Read Related LifeSite.com Coverage:

South Africa Cabinet Approves Same-Sex "Marriage" Bill
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/aug/06082402.html
Appeal for Amendment Banning Gay Marriage Rejected in South Africa
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/aug/06081703.html
South African Court Rules to Change Definition of Marriage
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/nov/04113008.html
South Africa: Homosexual Discrimination Against Heterosexuals and Women "Necessary" for Democracy
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jun/06062704.html
Tanzania Bishops Oppose Teaching of Condom Use
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jan/06011105.html

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