Tutu Slams Anglican Church For Homophobic Stance

London, England (AHN) - Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu has criticized his own church for its obsession against homosexuality.

In a BBC radio program due set for airing on Tuesday, the South African Nobel Peace Prize winner said it is a shame that the church chooses to focus its attention on gay issues at a time when the world is beset with other pressing problems.

"Our world is facing problems - poverty, HIV and AIDS - a devastating pandemic, and conflict...In the face of all of that, our Church, especially the Anglican Church, at this time is almost obsessed with questions of human sexuality...God must be weeping looking at some of the atrocities that we commit against one another," Tutu said.

He also slammed Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, for failing to demonstrate that theirs is a "welcoming God."

Tutu noted the Anglican church had appeared "extraordinarily homophobic" when forced to tackle the issue of gay leadership. There were debates whether gay priest Gene Robinson should be allowed to become the Bishop of New Hampshire.

Tutu said he was "saddened" his church wasted much of its time on such row.

A known liberal, Tutu also lashed out on religious conservatives who insist that homosexuality is a choice.

He added the Anglican church's attitude towards homosexuality alienates those who may want to join.