For some years now gay members of our parishes have been requesting the Anglican Church of this Province to allow for the blessing of their faithful committed partnerships. But up to this time, the majority in our Synod of Bishops and Provincial Synod still hold to the traditional understanding of biblical teaching on this matter, and have therefore declined to give such permission. However there is also the conviction that we as a Province are called to work through the issues together within the fellowship of the Anglican Communion, and that we are on a journey in this matter.
We affirm that we do not have all the answers, but that we are seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as we encounter fresh perspectives and face new challenges today. Our church acknowledges that some within the Body of Christ "are now arguing that gays and lesbians should be affirmed in same-sex relationships that are faithful, monogamous and committed. (And) we believe that as we seek further understanding we need to listen to people of all orientations as we seek the heart and mind of Jesus Christ" (Provincial Standing Committee 2003).
Already in the course of this journey the teaching of our church in this Province has evolved significantly in recent years, as expressed through various resolutions of Provincial Synod and Provincial Standing Committee. We have made it clear 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.(Provincial Synod 2002). Homosexual orientation is not regarded as somehow sinful (PSC 2003). We do not, as a church, therefore share the views of certain other denominations that teach that gays need to change their sexuality (even if that were possible).
We give thanks to God for bringing us a long way from the destructively harsh and rejecting attitudes of the past. However wounds still need healing. The Church is being called to acknowledge the sin of rejection, and to address the healing of negative attitudes which remain widespread.
Christians have always recognised that the working of the Spirit in not confined to the institutional Church alone. The recent signing into law of the Civil Unions Act provides an opportunity for us to challenge ourselves more deeply and prayerfully in our theology and biblical understanding. It is not a question of being 'pushed by the State'. The State has made it clear that it has no intention of undermining our religious freedom concerning these issues. The opportunity and challenge come from within the Body of Christ. What are we to say to our gay fellow members in our congregations, whom we have now fully affirmed as they are, when they come forward and ask for the church's prayerful encouragement and support in strengthening faithful commitment in their key partnerships?
We are keenly aware of the significant differences of conviction in our Province around these issues. However we believe the time has come to give space for such diversity. Church leaders, biblical scholars and theologians on both sides of this debate all hold to the centrality of the Scriptures. But they differ, in good faith, when it comes to matters of emphasis, meaning, and interpretation, (for example: the debate over the ordination of women). Each 'side' can present a 'plausible case'. It has always been like this in the history of the Believing Community. For this very reason there is a need to avoid the assumption of dogmatic certainty, and leave room for diversity of convictions in these matters. We are all seeking the mind of Christ.
As a church we have a long held and honourable tradition of respect for conscience. There are members within our church who believe in good faith and conscience that God accepts them as gay, and further that God blesses their commitment to faithful relationship. We believe that our church should be open to such convictions, and that this would be profoundly healing and affirming for those concerned. It would represent a caring response to a deep need, and would witness to the central message and meaning of the Scriptures - the Good News of God's saving love in Christ.
We appeal to leaders and fellow members of our church in this Province, to give fresh consideration to offering prayerful support to those gay members who come forward to make their commitment to faithfulness in relationship.
May we journey together, open to a more trusting diversity, led by the Spirit.
Pentecost Sunday 2007
Prof Denise Ackerman
Canon Louis Bank
The Rev Tracy Bell
Ms Jillian Carman
Br Andrew Colquhoun OHC
The Rev Deborah Donnell
Ms Theresa Edelman
Br John Forbis OHC
Bishop Christopher Gregorowski
Bishop Raphael Hess
Br Timothy Jolly OHC
Br Daniel Lutge
OHC
The Rev Bellina Mangena
Ms Mpho Ndebele
Prof Njabulo
Ndebele
The Rev Dr Ronald Nicolson
Bishop Michael Nuttall
Canon Luke Pato
The Rev Sue Paton
Canon Suzanne Peterson
Dr Mamphela Ramphele
Bishop David Russell
The Rev Linda Schwartz
Dean Rowan Smith
Canon John Suggit
The Rev Elizabeth Thomas
The Rev Douglas Torr
The Rev Janet Trisk
The Rev Loraine Tulleken
Ms Nomfundo Walaza
Dr Francis Wilson
"I urge you then: I who am a prisoner
because I serve the Lord: live a life that measures up to the standard God set
when he called you. Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by
being tolerant with one- another… Do your best to preserve the
unity, which the Spirit gives by means of the peace which binds you together.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has
called you. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; there is one God and
Father of all humankind, who is Lord of all, and is in all. (Eph 4:1-6).
We invite others who wish to
affirm the "Call” to communicate their support to:
Tracy Bell tlbell@netactive.co.za 039 976 2010
David Russell dphrussell@xsinet.co.za
021 686 2721
Douglas Torr djtorr@cpsa.org.za 011 624 2124
Janet Trisk janet@imaginet.co.za 045 622 3700