Homosexuality: Church to talk

2009-08-20 19:04

Cape Town - The Anglican Church's attitude to gay members, including priests, is expected to come under scrutiny at the synod of its diocese of Cape Town, which begins on Thursday evening.

The synod, which is held every three years, is the first under the term of office of current archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba.

On Saturday the synod is scheduled to consider a motion put forward by representatives of Cape Town's St George's Cathedral, the only Anglican parish in the country led by an openly gay clergyman.

Prayerful consideration

The motion proposes that the synod "commends giving serious and prayerful consideration to the acceptance of gays and lesbians in their committed partnerships as valued members of our parishes".

It says this should be done "bearing in mind the long-standing tradition within the Anglican Communion of respect for individual conscience, in seeking to be faithful disciples of Jesus".

It also asks bishops of the church "to provide pastoral guidelines for those of our members who are in such covenanted partnerships as faithful members of our parish families".

Abstinence

Makgoba's predecessor Njongonkulu Ndungane said in 2006 the church did not regard partnership between two persons of the same sex as a marriage in the eyes of God.

Those who were not married should abstain from sex.

"At present there is ongoing discussion and debate about matters of human sexuality within the Anglican Church in Southern Africa and throughout the world, but while this continues, our stance remains the same," Ndungane said.

Under this rule, the church accepts gay clergy, but does not condone their having sexual relationships with partners.

The church also frowns on gay clergy living with partners in celibate relationships.

Ndungane said in the same year that the church had set up a commission to examine gay issues.

- SAPA