African churches to debate same-sex issue: CEN 9.11.09 p 6.

The House of Bishops and Provincial Standing Committee of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa will begin debate at their annual meeting this week in Gauteng on the request for “pastoral guidelines for ministering to those who are in committed same-sex relationships,” reports Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town.

Writing to the Province on Sept 5, Archbishop Makgoba said the request for guidelines from the Cape Town synod will be part of a busy agenda that also includes proposed canonical amendments, finances and “to more practical matters of how we live the life to which we are called.”

In 2006 the South African Parliament voted to allow same-sex couples to “solemnize and register a voluntary union by way of either a marriage or a civil partnership,” after the South Africa’s Constitutional Court mandated recognition of gay marriage in a 2005 ruling.

This was the “reality we face in South Africa” Archbishop Makgoba wrote. “Some of those who have entered into such unions come, sometimes with their children, to our churches, and are found within our parishes. We must face this new reality with honesty.”

Last month’s request by the Cape Town synod for guidance was supported by supporters and opponents of church rites for the blessing of same-sex unions, he said, “out of concern to make an appropriate pastoral response to those in their care.”

However, South Africa would not follow the Episcopal Church of the United States or Anglican Church of Canada in unilaterally approving rites for the blessing of same-sex unions. “Let me underline that in our debate, and in [the Cape Town] resolution, there was a clear commitment to affirm the stance of the wider Anglican Communion on matters of human sexuality. There was certainly no desire to promote division on this matter. “

The resolution had “arisen as a result of government legislation,” and the need to “provide clergy and parishes with clear guidance,” the archbishop said.