Two motions, one that same sex unions be prayed for in church, and another for a liturgy “to serve the pastoral needs of the LGBTQIA+ community” were defeated at the Provincial Synod (church parliament) of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA). The synod met online this week, and farewelled Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, who was presiding at his last Provincial Synod, and who had been quoted as saying he was “pained” when similar motions were defeated in 2016.
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa is regarded as the most progressive on the continent of South Africa. The long-established Anglican alternative, REACH-SA (Reformed Evangelical Church – South Africa, is a member of the Global Anglican Communion (Gafcon) with a history of strong ties to the Anglican Diocese of Sydney.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, announced this week that she has called a Primates (heads of national churches) meeting to be held from 28 February – 5 March in Johannesburg, hosted by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
The motions
Resolution on the Inclusion of Parishioners in Same-Sex Unions in the Church
This Synod noting,
1. The Archbishop’s call for us to be mindful and intentional in terms of inclusion;
2. That during our Eucharist on Tuesday 21 September 2026, we were encouraged to deeply reflect on inclusivity and on the many among us still left out of the church’s embrace, especially the LGBTQIA+ community;
3. That the report dealing with the ACSA Vision 2030, seeks to welcome all;
4. That previous decisions of exclusivity might have caused pain to many, especially those who have long sought inclusivity, recognition, pastoral care and theological reflection rooted in dignity and justice;
5. Grounded upon Matthew 18:18, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven”, we believe the Church has both the authority and responsibility to discern and act justly in matters of conscience and pastoral care.
Resolves that:
1. Members of our church who are in committed same sex unions be prayed for within ACSA.
2. That a report be presented to the next Provincial Synod on how this ministry of inclusion is received.
Proposer: Dr Ashley Petersen, Diocese of False Bay
Seconded: The Rt Revd. Stafford Moses, Bishop of False Bay
The motion was lost with 78 Synod representatives voting against it, 71 for and 10 abstaining.
The second motion follows:
MOTION ON AN ALTERNATIVE LITURGY
In light of the grave pastoral need within the LGBTQIA+ community and the vagueness of the motion presented from Synod’s floor [the motion above], Synod resolves to compile a liturgy alternative to and distinct from the Marriage Liturgy, Thanksgiving for a Marriage, Reaffirmation of Vows, and Blessing of a Civil Union, (all of which are similar, and the last two of which invoke sentiments contained in the liturgy for the sacrament of Holy Matrimony) to serve the pastoral needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, so that there be no confusion between any prayers which might be offered in a pastoral capacity for members/ same-sex couples of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Proposer: The Revd Dr Matthew Wright, Diocese of Johannesburg
Seconded: Ms Tebogo Molefe, Diocese of Johannesburg
The motion was lost with 98 Synod representatives voting against it, 61 for and 10 abstaining.