Twelve senior pastors from the United Methodist Church (UMC) have resigned in protest over the church’s recent decision to remove its long-standing condemnation of homosexuality.
Speaking at a Press conference in Harare Friday morning, one of the pastors, Reverend Forbes Matonga said the church’s new stance no longer aligns with Christian teachings.
“Now your beloved church fully embraces this sin and even celebrates it as God’s gift,” said Rev Matonga.
The resignations follow last year’s General Conference of the United Methodist Church in the United States, where church leadership voted 523-161 to revise its Social Principles.
The decision removed language that deemed homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching” and allowed for the ordination and appointment of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.”
The Zimbabwean delegation opposed the vote.
 have resigned in protest over the church’s recent decision to remove its long-standing condemnation of homosexuality.){kind=link}