The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged Parliament and relevant constitutional institutions to approach any further consideration of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, with urgency, constitutional fidelity and legislative diligence.
The Bishops said Parliament’s decision to rescind its earlier passage of the legislation presents an opportunity for the House to address the issues surrounding the bill while giving due consideration to its moral, social, cultural and human rights implications.
Their position follows Parliament’s decision on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, to rescind its earlier passage of the bill, paving the way for the House to reconsider the legislation.
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Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced the decision after the House voted to rescind its earlier resolution on the bill, which was adopted on May 29, 2026.
He explained that the decision followed a review by Parliament’s Legislation Drafting Department, which identified inconsistencies between decisions taken by MPs during consideration of the bill and provisions subsequently reflected in the final draft.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their annual Plenary Assembly, held from November 3 to 14, 2026, the Catholic Bishops said any further consideration of the legislation must be guided by constitutional requirements and careful legislative processes.
“We note Parliament’s decision to rescind its earlier passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. We encourage Parliament and the relevant constitutional institutions to approach any further consideration of the matter with the requisite speed, constitutional fidelity, legislative diligence and due regard for its moral, social, cultural and human rights implications,” they stated.
The Bishops also reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s position on human life, marriage, family and sexuality.
“We reiterate the Church’s commitment to the sanctity of human life, the dignity of every person, the authentic understanding of marriage, family and human sexuality,” they added.
The Bishops held their annual assembly at the Divine Providence Pastoral Centre in Jamasi, in the Konongo-Mampong Diocese of the Ashanti Region, under the theme, “Communion, Participation and Mission: Preparing the Catholic Church in Ghana for Her 150th Anniversary in 2030.”
CNR