RSS Feed

OE Companion Discussion Group

At the same time, in 2016, "Anglican bishops from throughout southern Africa have resolved that gay and lesbian partners who enter same-intercourse civil unions underneath South African regulation must be welcomed into congregations as full members of the church". Within the Auckland Diocese, there are congregations that may provide a "relationship blessing" for 2 companions. In 2023, the Synod of Bishops agreed to develop prayers which may be mentioned with similar-intercourse couples, however they didn't approve of blessings or marriage for same-sex couples. Three dioceses, the United Diocese of Tuam, Limerick, and Killaloe, the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough, and the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns, and Ossory have voted to support the blessing of civil identical-sex marriages, requesting that a motion be considered by the general Synod. The Diocese of Pretoria joined Saldanha Bay in supporting similar-sex relationships. The drafted prayers embody each blessings for similar-intercourse couples as well as prayers acknowledging disagreement with similar-intercourse relationships. In 2024, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba revealed the draft prayers to be stated with same-intercourse couples for research by the dioceses.