Sunyani (B/A), Aug. 5, GNA - The Right Reverend Professor Osei Sarfo-Kantanka, Metropolitan Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, on Friday said, homosexuality 93is not only an affront to biblical teachings but an outrageous human depravity". He advised unemployed youth in the country to be careful not be lured into 93such shameful and devilish practice".

Rt. Rev. Prof. Sarfo-Kantanka said this when he delivered the keynote address at the official opening of the 12th biennial conference of the yout= h ministry division of the Methodist Youth Fellowship in Sunyani. The three-day conference, being attended by more than 500 members, is on the theme 93oneness in Christ and personal integrity".

A five-member delegation from Nigeria led by Very Rev. Opeyemi Awe, Youth Work Coordinator of the Methodist Church in Nigeria is attending. Rt. Rev. Prof. Sarfo-Kantanka explained that homosexuality and lesbianism were grievous sins before God and a human rights abuse and shoul= d not be encouraged. He stated that Christianity was not only being a member of the church but 93knowing the purpose of one's life" and charged Christians to be bold enough to stand up to condemn the evils in society.

Very Rev. Dr. Isaac Nana Abeka, Director of the Youth Ministry division, advised that, it was the responsibility of the fellowship to persuade people to give their lives to Jesus Christ. He said personal salvation should be the premium and advised members o= f the fellowship to build up healthy relationships for the total development of the church. Very Rev. Abeka entreated the youth to take advantage of every opportunity that might come their way to help unearth and develop their talents. Brother Thomas Bright Eshun, National Chairman of the fellowship, said personal integrity was the panacea to oneness in Christ and urged members o= f the fellowship to unite and forgive those who had wronged them. He advised members of the fellowship to comport themselves and tolerat= e each other to make the three-day conference successful. Rt. Rev. James Baffour-Awuah, Methodist Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese advised the youth to eschew all forms of practices and study the Bible diligently to obtain God's blessings.