Anglican Church of Southern Africa Rejects Same-Sex Couples

In a setback for religious inclusion, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa has voted against blessing or offering prayers for same-sex couples.

The church confirmed that its Provincial Synod in a show of hands on Thursday “rejected a proposal to allow bishops to approve the giving of blessings to couples in same-sex unions.”

The proposal sought to recognise that Pope Francis’ recent move to acknowledge same-sex couples in the Catholic Church had “set the debate on the blessing of same-sex couples alight with new insight and illumination.”

In December 2023, the Vatican and Pope Francis approved limited blessings by priests for individuals in same-sex relationships, a move previously considered unthinkable.

The Anglican proposal urged the Provincial Synod to support the Synod of Bishops “in its quest to provide Pastoral Guidelines for Same-Sex Couples in Civil Unions, and to address the reality of sexual diversity in humanity in general.”

While affirming that marriage is the “union between one man and one woman for life,” the proposal accepted that civil unions “provide legal status to those who desire it” and that “everyone has a right to legal protection before the law.”

The rejected proposal called for bishops to be allowed the option to grant permission to parish priests to bless civil unions in parishes where this would be welcomed.

The Provincial Synod also voted against a second proposal that sought to approve a set of prayers, drawn up by bishops, to provide pastoral ministry to members in civil unions.

The sixteen prayers, backed by the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, had been in circulation for review since February 2024.

The Right Revd Raphael Hess, Bishop of Saldanha Bay, proposed both motions, with the Right Revd Stephen Diseko, Dean of the Province and Bishop of Matlosane, seconding them. 

Religious Hostility “Root Cause of Violence, Hate Speech and Hate Crimes”

The Anglican Church of Southern Africa represents millions of Anglicans in Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Saint Helena and South Africa.

In a statement, Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) expressed deep disappointment at the church’s decision, describing it as a “missed opportunity to move toward a more inclusive and compassionate expression of faith.”

IAM said the decision to withhold blessings and deny prayers of pastoral care to those in civil unions “further marginalises individuals who seek nothing more than to live fully in the light of God’s love.”

It also acknowledged that “religious-instigated forms of hostility meted out against LGBTIQ+ people have been the root cause of the perpetuation of violence, hate speech and hate crimes.”

IAM regretted the Synod’s choice to “move away from this compassionate path” and added that much work remains to be done on the journey toward full inclusion.

“We call on church leaders and faith communities to reflect on the consequences of this decision and to seek ways to embody the love and justice that are at the core of our faith,” said the organisation, which advocates for the religious inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people.