The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) has again rejected proposals aimed at providing greater inclusion for LGBTQIA+ members in same-sex relationships. The votes took place during ACSA's 38th Provincial Synod, held in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, from 20 to 23 September. The gathering was the final Provincial Synod to be presided over by the Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of Southern Africa, who is due to retire in September 2027.
The Synod rejected two motions relating to a proposed "ministry of inclusion" for parishioners in same-sex relationships and an alternative liturgy intended to address the pastoral needs of LGBTQIA+ people. The outcome follows the church's rejection of similar proposals at its Provincial Synod two years ago. The first motion, proposed by Dr Ashley Petersen of the Diocese of False Bay, sought to allow members of the church in committed same-sex unions to be prayed for within ACSA.
The proposal was supported by Makgoba but was narrowly defeated, with 78 Synod representatives voting against it, 71 in favour and 10 abstaining. The close margin was highlighted by Inclusive & Affirming Ministries (IAM), which has worked for more than three decades towards LGBTQIA+ inclusion within faith communities. IAM expressed disappointment at the result, saying it would feel like one more closed door for LGBTQIA+ Anglicans.
A second motion proposed the development of an alternative liturgy specifically intended to meet the pastoral needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. The motion referred to the "grave pastoral need within the LGBTQIA+ community" and sought to ensure there would be no confusion between prayers offered pastorally to same-sex couples and those associated with marriage or civil unions. The motion was defeated by a wider margin: 98 representatives voted against it, 61 supported it, and 10 abstained.
Despite expressing disappointment at the result, IAM argued that the first vote - lost by only seven votes - demonstrated growing support within ACSA for the pastoral inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people. IAM also pointed to messages about inclusion during the Synod, including Makgoba's final charge to a Provincial Synod as Archbishop, where he reflected on being challenged during his ministry to become "more compassionate and inclusive".
IAM stressed that the Synod vote did not prevent individual priests and chaplains from providing pastoral care to LGBTQIA+ people. The organisation added that ACSA has affirmed LGBTQIA+ Anglicans as full, baptised members of the church since 1998. IAM also stated that no one needs Synod's permission to pray with a couple, sit with a frightened student, or welcome a family home.
For LGBTQIA+ Anglicans seeking formal recognition of their relationships, however, the outcome means that another Provincial Synod has ended without the church adopting measures for their inclusion. IAM addressed LGBTQIA+ Anglicans directly, saying "You belong. You are loved. You are not alone." The organisation sees signs of change despite the rejection, saying the movement toward full inclusion is real and gaining ground.
Key points
- The Anglican Church of Southern Africa has again rejected proposals for greater inclusion of LGBTQIA+ members in same-sex relationships.
- The church's 38th Provincial Synod voted against two motions relating to a proposed "ministry of inclusion" and an alternative liturgy for LGBTQIA+ people.
- Despite the rejection, there are signs of growing support within the church for the pastoral inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people.
