General News of Monday, 17 August 2015

Source: Kojo Smith

Gov't must protect kids from gay parents – Prof Martey

Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, Presby Moderator Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, Presby Moderator

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has been called upon to come out with a policy to address the adoption of children by gay couples.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Rt. Rev Professor Emmanuel Martey made the call at the opening of the 15th General Assembly of the Church at Abetifi in the Kwahu East District of the Eastern Region.

The General Assembly, which is the highest decision-making body of the church, attracted over 300 Commissioners and Corresponding members from all the 20 presbyteries, including the newly erected Asante South Presbytery.

This year’s General Assembly which is under the theme, “Anointing of the Holy Spirit” (1 John 2:20, 27) among other things will take decisions that will guide the activities of the Church in the coming years.

Rt. Rev Prof. Martey said such policy would prevent the adopted children from losing the right to true parentage of a father (a man) and a mother (a woman).

“Is it not ironical and funny that gay couples are interested in adopting children? Where do children come from? Do they come from same sex marriage or as a result of heterosexual marriage between a man and a woman?” He quizzed.

Rev Prof. Martey intimated that homosexuality undermines the stability of the family as both male and female fundamental functions are totally misplaced.

The Moderator, who had been speaking passionately against the approval, endorsement and recognition given to same-sex marriages by the Presbyterian Church-USA in June this year, said people should cease talking about homosexual behavior as human rights issue because there is nothing “human” about it.

He further said homosexuality is not a human rights issue neither it is a social justice issue.

He added that the social justice argument had become so effective that homosexuals often succeed in having ‘right’ legislation passed in their favour.

Rt. Rev Prof. Martey further argued that every child in this world needs parents for natural care and to grow, adding that parents in this context consist of a male and a female.

He maintained that a Bible-believing and practicing church such as the Presbyterian Church of Ghana sees the Bible differently from the way pro-gay churches see it.

The Moderator said, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana sees same-sex marriages as ungodly, sinful, unrighteous and “satanic” and, therefore, will not put up with such “satanic practice” in any form.