Churches Initiate a Broad Discussion of Same-Sex Marriage

South African Council of Churches (SACC)Kempton Park Conference Centre, Gauteng, South Africa

7 February 2006

Representatives of a wide range of Christian churches met at Kempton Park Conference Centre 6–7 February 2006 under the auspices of the South African Council of Churches to discuss the issue of same-sex marriages. The seminar took place in the context of the recent Constitutional Court ruling that requires Parliament to revise the Marriage Act to conform to the equality clause of the Constitution.

The gathering included most of the Council’s 26 member denominations, as well as a range of Christian churches that are not part of the SACC. For some denominations, it was their first involvement in an SACC consultation.

Bishop Lunga ka Siboto, Second Vice President of the SACC, said that the Constitutional Court decision had “prompted much soul-searching among Christians”. Despite the intensity of feeling that the topic evokes for many Christians, the two-day seminar was conducted in an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect.

Delegates heard presentations from a variety of speakers, including lesbian and gay Christians, the Marriage Alliance, and the SA Human Rights Commission. Mr Justice Dikgang Moseneke, Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, told those present that “it is quite clear from the Constitution” that “every one of us has the right to be different”.

The gathering was not intended to develop a definitive “church” position on the issue of same-sex unions, but rather to initiate and build a constructive dialogue on issues of sexuality and marriage. This will, in part, inform the Council as it prepares to engage the forthcoming Parliamentary debate on how to respond to the Constitutional Court ruling. The General Secretary of the SACC, Dr Molefe Tsele, emphasized, however, that the dialogue revealed the need for churches to think further ahead and to begin to prepare Christians for likely changes in the law.

Although delegates expressed a wide range of views on questions of sexuality, theology and marriage, a number of common themes and viewpoints began to emerge from small group discussions on the second day of the seminar. Some of the broad areas of consensus included:

* The Bible has always been and continues to be the bedrock of Christian faith and understanding of the world. It remains the church’s primary guide to decisions affecting same-sex unions.

* God is present and active in human society and this shapes our understanding of scripture and its implications for social and political issues. Delegates warned against adopting a strictly literal or fundamentalist reading of scripture or attempting to use the Bible to justify one's own beliefs. They noted that, in many respects, the debate about sexuality in the church is really a struggle over the use and meaning of scripture.

* The church is called by God to accept, affirm and love all people. Christians should therefore be slow to condemn, but must listen carefully to the pain and hurt of lesbian and gay people and to try to understand who they are.

* Delegates expressed a commitment to a secular state as a way of giving all faith groups equal space to articulate their views. The seminar also acknowledged the Constitution as a social pact that has been informed by the values and aspirations of all South Africans. The Constitution must remain the starting point for legal discussions of the state’s obligation to same-sex couples.

* Participants noted that the current definition of marriage does not encourage same-sex couples to establish faithful, lasting relationships or to celebrate their sexuality within the grace of God.

The Seminar agreed that it was essential for churches to sustain and deepen the dialogue on marriage and called on the SACC to continue to facilitate an increasingly inclusive discussion. Some participants said that it was the first time that they had ever thought seriously about the issue of same-sex couples, and they had had their minds “blown open”.

For more information, contact: Fr Jo Mdhlela
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Website: www.sacc.org.za