Knights of Marshall condemn acts of homosexuality

The Knights of Marshall, a Catholic friendly society, has stated that the rights of homosexuals do not include the “right of a man to marry a man or a woman to marry a woman.”

It, therefore, said the society would continue to condemn acts of homosexuality that were at variance with the teaching of the Catholic Church.

A communiqué issued at the end of the Standing Committee meeting of the Knights of Marshall in Sekondi, further called on all Catholics to intensify the education of their children on issues relating to their upbringing especially on sex and sexuality.

The communiqué, signed by the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Marshall, Sir Kt. Bro. Ambrose Akyebe Yennah, also appealed to Catholics to respect their marriage vows in line with the oaths they undertook during their nuptial ceremony.

It pledged to adopt proactive measures to protect children from vices that undermined parenting and societal norms.

Environment

It called for the strengthening of state institutions in the fight against environmental pollution and degradation that had serious effects on various sectors of the economy especially, Mother Earth and climate change.

The communiqué advocated for the enforcement of laws on the environment and natural resources and call on individual Parishes, Schools and Communities to take up the task of protecting the environment as well as enhancing the renewable energy and efficiency measures.

It urged the avoidance of unsustainable mining and processing practices by illegal small-scale miners (Gallamsey) which have the potential of causing further degradation of the country’s environment.

It reminded Ghanaians that their responsibility as God’s stewards implied that they were morally accountable to Him for safeguarding the environment (Gen.1:28, Gen. 2:15)

Read the full communiqué below:

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD IN SEKONDI ON JANUARY 13, 2017

WE, members of the Standing Committee of the Supreme Council of the Knights of Marshall, at a meeting held in Sekondi from January 12-14, 2018;
AND HAVING discussed the presentations by Most Rev Joseph Osei-Bonsu, Bishop of Konongo-Mampong and our Supreme Spiritual Director, on the theme: “KNIGHTS AND FAMILY LIFE AS A NUCLEUS OF THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY;”

AND Sir Kt Bro. Dr. Peter Acquah, Chairman of the Historical, Research and Beatification Committee of the Knights of Marshall on: “MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS GOD’S CREATION AND OUR COMMON HERITAGE, THE ENVIRONMENT;”

AND having taken into consideration the tenets of the Noble Order founded on Unity, Charity and Fraternity and our faith in The Holy Mother, the Catholic Church;
IMBUED with patriotism, nationalism and altruism;

DETERMINED to continue to work towards the upliftment of the poor and the needy through charity works;

Recognizing that our Common Home, The Earth is at risk through human activity;

DO hereby adopt the following communiqué;

A. ON KNIGHTS AND FAMILY LIFE AS A NUCLEUS OF THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY

1. WILL CONTINUE as true Catholics to condemn acts of homosexuality which are at variance with the teaching of Holy Mother, the Catholic Church.

2. AFFIRM that the rights of homosexuals do not include the “right of a man to marry a man or a woman to marry a woman.”

3. CALL on all Catholics to intensify the education of their children on issues relating to their upbringing especially on sex and sexuality.

4. APPEAL to Catholics to respect their marriage vows in line with the oaths they undertook during their nuptial ceremony.

5. PLEDGE to adopt proactive measures to protect children from vices which undermine parenting and societal norms.

B. ON MAN’S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS GOD’S CREATION AND OUR COMMON HERITAGE, THE ENVIRONMENT

1. CALL for the strengthening of State Institutions in the fight against environmental pollution and degradation which have serious effects on various sectors of the economy especially, Mother Earth and climate change.

2. ADVOCATE for the enforcement of laws on the environment and natural resources and call on individual Parishes, Schools and Communities to take up the task of protecting the environment as well as enhancing the renewable energy and efficiency measures.

3. URGE the avoidance of unsustainable mining and processing practices by illegal small-scale miners (Gallamsey) which have the potential of causing further degradation of the country’s environment.

4. NOTE that our responsibility as God’s stewards imply that we are morally accountable to Him for safeguarding the environment (Gen.1:28, Gen. 2:15)

C. STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING

1. EXPRESS satisfaction with the conduct of the Standing Committee Meeting which adopted proposals for enhancing our organizational rigor to influence the good of society, increase members’ spiritual growth and expand our resources for sustainable services to humanity.

SIR KT BRO AMBROSE AKYEBE YENNAH,
DATED: JANUARY 14, 2018
SEKONDI, GHANA