The diocese will be represented when a symposium takes place next week (Wednesday 18 July) at Leeds University to honour Ugandan Anglican Bishop, the Rt Revd Christopher Senyonjo.
Rector of Leeds Minster, Canon Sam Corley will be one of those taking part in the Symposium which comes the day after Bishop Senyonjo is awarded an honorary degree by the University.
Bishop Senyonjo was bishop of the Diocese of West Buganda from 1974 till his retirement in 1998. He has been one of the few religious leaders in Uganda, and indeed in Africa, who actively supports members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community and advocates for the recognition of their human rights, in a context of widespread social and political homo- and trans-phobia.
The honorary degree will be awarded to Bishop Senyonjo during the graduation ceremony of the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures at the University of Leeds on 17 July 2018.
The symposium the following day will feature speakers reflecting upon Senyonjo’s life and ministry in the context of Uganda (Dr Kevin Ward) and from the perspective of Christian theology (Dr Alistair McFadyen). It will also feature representatives of various bodies in the university and the city of Leeds (including Leeds City Council Deputy Leader James Lewis, Rev. Canon Sam Corley on behalf of the Bishop of Leeds, and Professor Jane Plastow on behalf of the Leeds University Centre for African Studies), who will briefly reflect upon the inspiration that Senyonjo presents to their work.