Malawi Church Leaders Discuss Gay Rights

Church leaders in Malawi met Wednesday to discuss the taboo subject of homosexuality in advance of a court ruling in the case of two men arrested for holding a public engagement ceremony in December. A verdict will be delivered for Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (pictured) on Monday.

According to the Associated Press, church leaders in the conservative African nation met in an attempt to "understand the phenomenon" of homosexuality.

"Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe, head of the Malawi Council of Churches, says the leaders gathered Wednesday in the southern town of Mangochi to discuss homosexuality as an issue 'most Malawians do not understand.'"

Homosexual acts are illegal in Malawi and most sub-Saharan African countries.