The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) has again rejected proposals aimed at providing greater inclusion for LGBTQIA+ members in same-sex relationships — including a narrowly defeated motion that would have allowed committed same-sex couples to be prayed for within the church.
The votes took place during ACSA’s 38th Provincial Synod, held in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, from 20 to 23 September. The gathering was the final Provincial Synod to be presided over by the Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of Southern Africa, who is due to retire in September 2027.
ACSA confirmed that the Synod rejected two motions relating to a proposed “ministry of inclusion” for parishioners in same-sex relationships and an alternative liturgy intended to address the pastoral needs of LGBTQIA+ people.
The outcome follows the church’s rejection of similar proposals at its Provincial Synod two years ago.
Same-sex prayer proposal narrowly defeated
The first motion, proposed by Dr Ashley Petersen of the Diocese of False Bay and seconded by the Rt Revd Stafford Moses, Bishop of False Bay, sought to allow members of the church in committed same-sex unions to be prayed for within ACSA.
It also called for a report to be presented to the next Provincial Synod on how such a “ministry of inclusion” had been received.
The resolution acknowledged Archbishop Makgoba’s call for the church to be intentional about inclusion and recognised that previous decisions excluding LGBTQIA+ people “might have caused pain to many” seeking recognition, pastoral care and theological reflection grounded in dignity and justice.
The proposal was supported by Makgoba but was narrowly defeated, with 78 Synod representatives voting against it, 71 in favour and 10 abstaining.
The close margin was highlighted by Inclusive & Affirming Ministries (IAM), which has worked for more than three decades towards LGBTQIA+ inclusion within faith communities.
“To every LGBTQIA+ Anglican, and to every family and clergy member who hoped for a different outcome: we see your disappointment, and we share it,” the organisation said in a statement following the vote.
“Coming two years after Synod declined similar proposals in 2024, and amid the public debate at Bishops Diocesan College, this decision will feel like one more closed door.”
Alternative LGBTQIA+ liturgy also rejected
A second motion proposed the development of an alternative liturgy specifically intended to meet the pastoral needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Importantly, the proposed prayers would have been distinct from the church’s liturgies for marriage, thanksgiving for a marriage, reaffirmation of vows and the blessing of a civil union.
The motion referred to the “grave pastoral need within the LGBTQIA+ community” and sought to ensure there would be no confusion between prayers offered pastorally to same-sex couples and those associated with marriage or civil unions.
Proposed by the Revd Dr Matthew Wright and seconded by Tebogo Molefe, both from the Diocese of Johannesburg, the motion was defeated by a wider margin: 98 representatives voted against it, 61 supported it and 10 abstained.
IAM sees signs of change despite rejection
Despite expressing disappointment at the result, IAM argued that the first vote — lost by only seven votes — demonstrated growing support within ACSA for the pastoral inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people.
“The movement toward full inclusion is real, and it is gaining ground,” the organisation said.
IAM also pointed to messages about inclusion during the Synod. In his final charge to a Provincial Synod as Archbishop, Makgoba reflected on being challenged during his ministry to become “more compassionate and inclusive”. He also described the church as having wrestled with “human sexuality and same-sex partnerships” over a number of Synods.
IAM stressed that the Synod vote did not prevent individual priests and chaplains from providing pastoral care to LGBTQIA+ people.
“Nothing decided this week prevents a priest or chaplain from offering pastoral care,” said IAM, adding that ACSA has affirmed LGBTQIA+ Anglicans as full, baptised members of the church since 1998.
“No one needs Synod’s permission to pray with a couple, sit with a frightened student, or welcome a family home.”
Addressing LGBTQIA+ Anglicans directly, the organisation added: “You belong. You are loved. You are not alone.”
For LGBTQIA+ Anglicans seeking formal recognition of their relationships, however, the outcome means that another Provincial Synod has ended without the church adopting measures for their inclusion.
