The representatives of South Africa’s main churches met earlier in the week to discuss the issue of same-sex marriage as churches across the continent become ever more embroiled in the debate.

|TOP|The key gathering was held in response to the recent Constitutional Court ruling that requires South Africa’s Parliament to revise the Marriage Act in order to bring it into conformity with the equality clause of the country’s Constitution.

Most of the 26 member denominations of the South African Council of Churches were present at the meeting which featured presentations on the issue of same-sex marriage from a wide range of speakers, including the Marriage Alliance and the South African Human Rights Commission as well as a number of gay and lesbian church members.

The purpose of the meeting was not to draw up an official “church” position on the issue of same-sex unions, said the SACC, but rather to “initiate and build a constructive dialogue on issues of sexuality and marriage”.

Representing the secular perspective was Mr Justice Dikgang Moseneke, Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional court, who told the gathered delegates that “it is quite clear from the Constitution” that “every one of us has the right to be different”.

Bishop Lunga ka Siboto, Second Vice President of the SACC, admitted that the ruling of the Constitutional Court had “prompted much soul-searching among Christians”.

|AD|Some delegates at the gathering admitted that it was the first time they had given serious consideration to the issue of same-sex couples and that they had had their minds “blown open”.

The delegates, both supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, were able to establish at least broad areas of consensus following the small group discussions held on the second day of the seminar.

Delegates agreed, among other things, that “the Bible has always been and continues to be the bedrock of Christian faith and understanding of the world” as the “Church’s primary guide to decisions affecting same-sex unions”.

It was further agreed 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”.

Delegates at the seminar also agreed it is “essential for churches to sustain and deepen the dialogue on marriage” before calling on the SACC to continue to facilitate an increasingly inclusive discussion.

The conclusions drawn at the gathering will, in part, inform the Council as it prepares to engage the forthcoming Parliamentary debate on the most appropriate response to the Constitutional Court ruling.

General Secretary of the SACC, Dr Molefe Tsele stressed, however, that the dialogue between South Africa’s main churches had revealed the need for churches to think more long-term and to begin to prepare Christians for likely changes in the law.

Despite the difference of opinion on the highly emotive topic of same-sex marriage, the SACC reported that the two-day seminar was conducted “in an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect”.