Despite the appeals of its ex-archbishop Dr Thabo Makgoba, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) has once again rejected two proposals for the creation of special prayers and liturgy for same-sex couples. This decision comes after the country’s outgoing Archbishop, Dr Thabo Makgoba, has urged the establishment of same-sex marriage in South Africa since 2006.
”In the Western Cape, the diocese of False Bay enacted a directive urging the Church’s synod to establish prayers for couples engaged in same-sex unions. The motion lost seven votes, with 78 against it, 71 in favor, and ten abstentions.
Primate Dr. Makgoba (since 2008), has repeatedly called for inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. “We pray for trees, we pray for cars, we pray for avocados,” he urged the synod.
A second motion, proposed by the diocese of Johannesburg, aimed to establish a distinct liturgy to cater to the “grave pastoral need” of the LGBTQ+ community. However, this proposal was also rejected. The purpose of the motion was to distinguish between marriage, thanksgiving for a marriage, reaffirming vows, and the blessing of a civil union.
”The synod rejected the motion by 98 votes to 61, with ten abstentions. This rejection marks the latest instance of a series of defeats in the synod regarding the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Anglicans in the Province.
The House of Bishops of ACSA rejected blessings for same-sex couples in 2016 and in 2023, the Province’s Theological Commission rejected a proposal to grant dioceses the option to allow blessings locally.
”In 2024, two proposed proposals to commend blessings and permit priests to utilize them in their churches were unsuccessful. However, the Bishop of Saldanha Bay, Rt Revd Raphael Hess, subsequently declined to grant blessings to same-sex couples, according to the website Anglican Ink.
Dr Makgoba, who informed the synod that he would be retiring within the year, adopted a resolution this month stating that the State of Israel should be punished for its genocidal actions. This resolution also aimed to impose sanctions on Israel’s involvement in international events and forums.
”He also pledged, in his future role as the Church leader, that “in whatever years remain to me in whatever shape or size those years take I pledge, today’, that this will remain the guiding principle of my life to continue to go out, to continue to engage human suffering, to continue to speak into human need, to continue to work, even against the odds, to reverse injustice, as long as there are those left standing on the margins, as long as there are those left standing on the margins.