One of the most senior Catholic leaders in Cameroon has labeled gay equality such as same-sex marriages as a “crime against humanity”.

Earlier today at mass, Victor Tonye Bakot, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Yaounde said: “Marriage of persons of the same sex is a serious crime against humanity.

“We need to stand up to combat it with all our energy. I am particularly thankful to our local media that has been spreading this message of it as a criminality against mankind.”

Homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon and the country has a history of tracking down and convicting men of homosexuality.

A few days ago, a court in Cameroon has upheld a conviction against a man found guilty of “homosexual behaviour” for sending a text message to another man saying: “I’m very much in love with you.”

The Court of Appeal ruled that Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, 32, must serve out his three-year jail term.

He was provisionally released on bail in July after spending a year and a half behind bars.

Mr Mbede said that he’s not sure he can put up with the homophobic attacks and harassment he has faced from fellow inmates and prison authorities.

Christmas attacks on same-sex marriage were not limited to Africa, several high profile Christian leaders in Britain chose Christmas to attack David Cameron’s plans to introduce marriage equality.

The Bishop of Shrewsbury compared introducing gay equality to Nazi fascism.

The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: “From a democratic point of view, it’s a shambles [same-sex marriage].

“George Orwell would be proud of that manoeuvre. I think the process is shambolic.”