Côte d'Ivoire's United Methodist Church Splits from Global Denomination Over LGBTQ+ Issues

On May 28, 2024, the United Methodist Church of Ivory Coast (EMUCI) made a historic decision to break from the global United Methodist Church. The decision, taken during an extraordinary session in Abidjan, was driven by the recent vote by the United Methodist Church General Conference in the United States to lift the ban on ordaining gay pastors and officiating same-sex marriages.

The decision of the United Methodist Church of Ivory Coast to withdraw from the global United Methodist Church has significant implications for the LGBTQ+ community and the future of religious institutions. This move could lead to further divisions within the church and fuel a wider debate about the role of a href="https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-may-28-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">religion in modern society.

Bishop Benjamin Boni, president of EMUCI, expressed strong disapproval of the global church's new stance. He stated that the church now "deviates from the Holy Scriptures" and has "sacrificed its honor and integrity to honor the LGBTQ community." This sentiment was echoed by the EMUCI's annual conference, which cited "reasons of conscience before God and His word" being the motivation behind their withdrawal.

The issue of homosexuality has long been contentious within the United Methodist Church. In February 2019, a special session in St. Louis, Missouri, reaffirmed the "incompatibility" of homosexuality with Christian teaching by adopting the Traditional Plan. However, this year's General Conference saw a significant shift, with 93% of delegates approving the doctrinal change to lift the ban on same-sex unions and the ordination of homosexual pastors.

Despite this change, the United Methodist Church clarified that individual churches and clergy are not compelled to accept homosexual pastors or officiate same-sex marriages. Nevertheless, the Traditional Plan, which rejects the inclusion of LGBTQ individuals within the church, remains the stance of minority African churches, including that of Ivory Coast.

The withdrawal of EMUCI from the United Methodist Church marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over LGBTQ rights within religious institutions. This decision reflects broader tensions between traditionalist and progressive factions within the global church and highlights the challenges of maintaining unity amidst diverse cultural and doctrinal perspectives.

As Côte d'Ivoire prepares to host the annual meeting of Intergovernmental Organizations of West Africa from June 10 to 11, 2024, the country's political environment remains dynamic. The meeting, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with ECOWAS and other United Nations agencies, will address various regional challenges, including economic, social, environmental, and political issues.

This gathering will focus on strengthening partnerships for sustainable development and highlight recent progress in regional integration, particularly with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Despite the complex challenges facing West Africa, the region has shown economic resilience, with a forecasted GDP growth rate of 4.1% for 2024 and 2025.

Côte d'Ivoire's role as a host for this significant meeting highlights its importance in the region and its commitment to addressing pressing issues. The country's political and social future will be moulded by the decisions made by institutions like EMUCI.

Key Takeaways

• United Methodist Church of Ivory Coast (EMUCI) breaks away from global UMC over LGBTQ+ stance.
• EMUCI cites "reasons of conscience before God and His word" for withdrawal.
• Global UMC lifts ban on gay pastors and same-sex marriages, sparking controversy.
• Withdrawal highlights tensions between traditionalist and progressive factions within global church.
• Decision has significant implications for LGBTQ+ community and religious institutions.