Friday, May 18, 2007

South African churches bar gay marriages

May 17 2007 at 12:50PM
By Leila Samodien
Independent Online


Six months after gay marriages were legalised, at least four leading denominations are refusing to conduct same-sex unions.

The national leadership of the Anglican Church, as well as the provincial offices of the Catholic Church, Baptist Church and Presbyterian Church, all confirmed their clergy were not allowed to officiate at or bless gay marriages.

snip

According to the Civil Union Act, if a religious institution does not wish to conduct civil unions, it must submit a letter to Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula explaining why.

snip

Bishop David Beetge, Dean of the (Anglican) Church of the Province of Southern Africa, said the church had notified the department of home affairs of its policy on gay marriages.

"We have informed the government that we are not in a position to bless civil unions and have made it open and clear to the government and our congregation about our policy," he said.

Click here to read it all.

No comments: