{
  "id": 20046803,
  "title": "Catholic Bishops urge Parliament to move quickly on the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill it reopened",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/catholic-bishops-urge-parliament-to-move-quickly-on-the-anti-lgbtq",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T20:41:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "3News",
    "slug": "3news",
    "url": "https://3news.com/news/politics/catholic-bishops-anti-lgbtq-bill-urgency-communique"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Catholic Bishops in Ghana have requested that the Parliament expedite the review of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, adhering strictly to constitutional procedures following its reopening by MPs. This appeal was included in the communiqué released at the conclusion of their annual Plenary Assembly, which convened from November 3 to 14. The Bishops also called for a targeted state of emergency in areas affected by galamsey activities. On November 10, Parliament reversed its initial approval of the Bill, which took place on May 29, after the Legislation Drafting Department discovered discrepancies between the final text and the MPs' earlier debate decisions. The Bishops expressed their appreciation for Parliament's decision to retract its earlier passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill and urged both Parliament and relevant constitutional institutions to proceed with the matter promptly, ensuring adherence to constitutional integrity, legislative thoroughness, and respect for moral, social, cultural, and human rights considerations. They viewed this opportunity to rectify the Bill's issues and reiterated their Church's dedication to the sanctity of life, the dignity of every individual, the accurate understanding of marriage, family, and human sexuality. Majority Leader James Agalga, who submitted the rescission motion, stated that the corrections are technical and assured that President John Mahama will have the Bill by month's end, before the House adjourns. MPs are required to complete a second review and pass the Bill in a fresh third reading. Upon reaching the President, Article 106 of the Constitution mandates that he inform the Speaker within seven days whether he approves, rejects, or sends the Bill to the Council of State. Prior to the rescission, the Minority advocated for leaving the Bill unchanged. Its leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, urged President Mahama to sign the Bill without modifications and opposes the exemptions for professionals introduced in May. The communiqué was signed by the President, Bishop of Sunyani Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, who presided over the plenary session held at Jamasi's Divine Providence Pastoral Centre in the Konongo-Mampong Diocese.",
  "summary": "Catholic Bishops want the reopened anti-LGBTQ+ Bill handled quickly, weighing its moral, social, cultural and human rights implications.",
  "key_points": [
    "Catholic Bishops urge Ghana Parliament to fast-track anti-LGBTQ+ Bill review",
    "MPs reversed initial approval of Bill after discovering text discrepancies",
    "Bishops call for targeted state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}