The
Archbishop of Cape Town was driven to tears this week – as his Church voted to
reject blessings for same-sex unions.
Same-sex
marriage has been legal in South Africa since 2006 – and a decade later it
remains the only country in Africa with equal marriage.
A decade on
from equal marriage first becoming law, last week the country’s Anglican Church
overwhelmingly rejected proposals to allow gay clergy, and to allow clergy
to “provide for prayers of blessing” for same-sex unions.
Thabo
Makgoba, the South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, lamented the
decision in a letter to the LGBT community.
He wrote: “I
was deeply pained by the outcome of the debate. I was glad I wear glasses or
the Synod would have seen the tears.
“I wanted to
be anywhere but in the Synod hall – I wished I was at home quietly in Makgoba’s
Kloof.
“If one of
you, my church members, is in pain, then I am in pain too. The pain on both
sides of the debate in Synod was palpable and no one celebrated or applauded
the outcome.
“There are no
winners or losers in the Kingdom of God, and we recognised that whichever way
the vote went, there was going to be pain.
He affirmed
to LGBT people: “You are loved by God and all baptised, believing and faithful
persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of
Christ.
“We recognise
that many of you are baptised and confirmed members of the Church and are
seeking the pastoral care, moral direction of the Church, and God’s
transforming power for the living of your lives and the ordering of your
relationships.
“We urge you to stick with us
to play your full part in the deliberations to come.”
True words of support and encouragement from a true man of God. Thanks for reporting this!
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