Cape Town - In a significant decision, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) has rejected a proposal that would permit bishops to approve blessings for same-sex couples in welcoming parishes.
This week, the ACSA released a statement rejecting the idea of permitting bishops to authorise blessings for same-sex couples within local congregations.
They declined to endorse a collection of prayers created by the bishops intended for pastoral care of church members in civil unions.
“Provincial Synod has rejected a proposal to allow bishops to approve the giving of blessings to couples in same-sex unions in parishes which welcome the ministry.”
The ACSA announced that two motions presented at the synod were put forward by the Right Reverend Raphael Hess, Bishop of Saldanha Bay, with support from the Right Reverend Stephen Diseko, Dean of the Province and Bishop of Matlosana.
For decades, the issue of providing pastoral guidelines for same-sex couples has lingered in decision-making institutions like the ACSA.
However, the decision was also made after Archbishop Thabo Makgoba urged for a compromise that would consider the needs of local congregations and bishops wanting to bless same-sex couples.
As civil unions gain legal recognition in South Africa, the urgency for such guidelines becomes increasingly apparent.
President Cyril Ramaphosa passed bill in 2020 that forbade marriage officials from refusing perform same-sex unions.
Since November 2006, same-sex marriages have been permitted in South Africa. LGBTQIA+ support organisations expressed their disappointment at the decisions.
Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) expressed their deep disappointment over the Provincial Synod's decision to reject a proposal to let bishops bless same-sex couples in parishes that support this ministry.
They feel that this decision, along with the refusal of a set of prayers created by bishops for the pastoral care of those in civil unions, represents a lost chance to embrace a more inclusive and caring approach to faith.
“The choice to withhold blessings and refuse pastoral care prayers to persons in civil partnerships”, according to the Rev Ecclesia de Lange, director of IAM, “further marginalises those who want nothing more than to live fully in the light of God's love”.
She explained that through their work they know that religious-instigated forms of hostility meted out against LGBTQIA+ people have been the root cause of the perpetuation of violence, hate speech and hate crimes.
“The reference to Pope Francis's teachings, which underscore that everyone is loved by God and that blessings can be extended to all without compromising the traditional doctrine of marriage, shows that inclusion is possible within the framework of the Christian faith,” De Lange said.
Triangle Project spokesperson Ling Sheperd said: “We stand for inclusivity and hope compassion, which most religions preach would guide these matters, but in this case, it hasn't.”
Many religious leaders also expressed their opinions following the ACSA’s decision.
Father Michael Weeder, retired Dean of St George's Anglican Cathedral, said it's sad that the church fell so short of the most basic, intimate aspect of life.
“On the one hand, you know, it has been seen so often as priests, we can bless any inanimate object, we can bless it. An inanimate object with no emotions, no feelings and yet we deny that affirmation of God’s presence publicly and officially in the life of congregants, parishioners and others whether they are church members or not who want to celebrate their love. It is that refusal to acknowledge and to celebrate with people of the same sex.”
Imam Muhsin Hendricks of the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation added that people’s religion, although organised, is deeply personal.
According to Hendricks, the Synod should consider what the message is that they are ultimately sending out to their LGBTQIA+ constituents within their respective parishes.
“Hence, any religious leader who is not yet able to embrace the inclusion of same-sex couples in their religious spaces should be respected, based on their constitutional and religious freedoms to exercise their religious beliefs,” Hendricks said.
De Lange said the Synod's choice to move away from this compassionate path suggests that much work remains to be done in the journey toward full inclusion.
“However, we remain hopeful and committed to fostering spaces where LGBTQIA+ individuals feel affirmed, supported, and welcomed in their faith communities,” De Lange said.
Meanwhile, IAM reaffirms that they will continue to advocate for pastoral care and recognition of the diversity of sexual orientation within the Church and other faith communities.