MALAWI CHURCHES CONDEMN SAME SECT ACTS AS SINFUL

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 19, 2010

BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) -- Malawi church leaders say that homosexuality is ''sinful'' and urge Western nations to withdraw threats to halt aid to this southern Africa country over a court case that could send two gay men to jail for up to 14 years.

Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe, head of the Malawi Council of Churches, says a three day meeting of the main Protestant groups unanimously agreed Friday to oppose any easing of laws criminalizing same-sex partnerships.

A verdict will be delivered March 29 on Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, arrested and jailed since Dec. 26 after holding a public engagement ceremony.

The arrests have outraged human rights groups and Western donors in Malawi, one of Africa's poorest nations. The churches say the West should not be allowed to use its financial power to force Malawi to accept homosexuality.