Zimbabwean United Methodist Church members cry foul on the LGBTQ inclusion stance
Molly Hlekani Mwayera, a lay delegate from the Zimbabwe East Conference, had a significant impact on the United Methodist Church’s recent decision to remove anti-gay language from its official policy. Her amendment at the United Methodist General Conference in the USA was a major factor in the approval of this historic change which resulted in 523 to161 votes. This decision marks a turning point in the church’s history and emphasizes the ongoing shift in beliefs and behaviors surrounding LGBTQ+ inclusion in religious institutions.
Molly Mwayera image by Paul Jeffrey
The United Methodist Church reversed the 40-year-old ban on practicing gay clergy, signaling a major change in the church’s attitude toward LGBTQ inclusion on 1 May. An informal policy change that had been planned for some time is now official thanks to the decision.
Numerous people and organizations have acknowledged the significance of the decision to lift the 40-year ban on gay clergy, and it has received attention and support from a variety of sources. The fact that this choice has clearly generated poignant and thought-provoking conversations both inside and outside of the church illustrates the importance of this policy shift.
Nonetheless, Zimbabwean members of the United Methodist Church are regretting this choice, which was supported by their own delegate.
They voiced their disapproval of this new approach via these social media comments; one member wrote, “We are devastated and speechless with this new development.”
Someone else asserted that Satanism has inherently entered the church.
“Better to cut ties with this western thing tozvimiririra seAfrica,” commented Admitte Mambohaatumwi who suggested that the African United Methodist Church in Africa should cut ties with the biggest American church organization.
Regarding Molly Hlekani Mwayera’s pivotal role, nobody has remarked as of yet. It was not possible to reach the Zimbabwe’s United Methodist Church leadership for comment.
