South African Diocese to Debate Gay Marriage

A second South African diocese will take up the question of pastoral care for gays and lesbians when the False Bay synod meets from Sept 23-26. Carved out of the eastern half of the Diocese of Cape Town in 2005, the Diocese of False Bay will debate a resolution akin to last month’s Cape Town request for an official church policy on gay marriage in light of the country’s gender-neutral marriage laws. The South African general synod in 2002 endorsed a resolution that “acknowledges and gives thanks to God for the role played by lesbian and gay members of the CPSA and encourages the welcoming and affirmation of all members regardless of their sexual orientation, in all the Churches of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.” However, the church forbids its clergy from performing gay marriages or blessing same-sex unions in churches. The False Bay resolution states that it affirms a “pastoral response to same-sex partnerships of faithful commitment in our parish families; notes the positive statements of previous Provincial Synods that Gay and Lesbian members of our Church share in full membership as baptised members of the Body of Christ, and are affirmed and welcomed as such;” and affirms the call to “prayerful and respectful dialogue” on this issue. Full Story from Religious Intelligence: http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=5068

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