Bishop Christopher Senyonjo: An Ally and Advocate for LGBT+ Inclusion in Uganda
The Cruelty of Uganda’s Recent Anti-LGBT+ Law Overshadows Inspiring Stories Like Bishop Christopher Senyonjo’s
Uganda’s recent enactment of harsh anti-LGBT+ laws has cast a dark shadow over the country, making the inspiring stories of brave allies like Bishop Christopher Senyonjo all the more vital to share. Bishop Senyonjo, a retired Bishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda, has spent the last two decades as a vocal ally for LGBT+ Christians and non-Christians alike. This past March, I had the profound honor of meeting him in person, and I was deeply moved by his unwavering tenacity and boundless kindness.
“I am an ally. I am satisfied because I do what I believe God wants me to do. Even becoming a minister was a call, and by the will of God, I came this way in a particular arena. I am doing something which I believe God has told me to do: love all people. All people are God’s children; none is left out. I have faced problems, but that is part of God’s plan, and I am really satisfied,” Bishop Senyonjo shared with a serene smile.
At 92 years old, Bishop Senyonjo looks back on his life and work with no regrets. Though his children initially struggled to understand his mission, they have grown to be supportive and understanding. “My children did not first understand me, but I told them that you should understand people and try to respect their views. People are not the same; we are all different,” he explained.
Bishop Senyonjo’s journey took a pivotal turn in 1998, after 24 years of service, when he retired as stipulated by the Church of Uganda regulations at age 60. It was during his subsequent work as a counselor that he met two young men who profoundly impacted his life. Their struggles to fit into the Anglican Church of Uganda and their pain from not being accepted opened Bishop Senyonjo’s heart.
“I told them that I feel their struggle to find their own place in the church and to accept themselves the way they are because God loves them the same. That was the beginning! Obviously, my church heard it and was not happy about it. Later on, I was asked to advise the two young boys to change, but I told them that I tried to talk to them realistically. They are not faking it nor pretending. I cannot force them to be who they are not.”
This stance led to his ostracism from the church. In 2001, Bishop Senyonjo was barred from performing services and faced immense social pressure. His pension was stopped, and he was asked to step down as a patron from an organization due to his “radical views”. Despite these challenges, Bishop Senyonjo found untiring support in his late wife, Mary. “She stood by me all the way, we lived together for 58 years. I could talk to her, and she would understand me. She knew what I was doing and respected it,” he reminisced.
The Church of Uganda has not softened its stance on LGBT+ issues. Last year, Archbishop Dr. Stephen Kaziimba praised the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023, highlighting the continued institutional opposition. Yet, Bishop Senyonjo’s memoir, “In Defense of All God’s Children,” published in 2016, stands as a testament to his enduring belief in love and acceptance.
“People should not be driven away from God because of their diversity. It is so sad that some people still believe that LGBT+ people should be killed like criminals. It is terrible, but I believe God is telling us that we should love. If we need to survive on this planet, love is the key! Religion without love means very little to me,” Bishop Senyonjo passionately stated.
