Watch: Anglican Church of Southern Africa to recognise same-sex couples as full members
Same-sex couples can now become full members of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
Anglican bishops around Southern Africa have announced that same-sex couples who enter same-sex civil unions under South African law will be welcomed as full members of the Anglican church.
The announcement was made in a letter sent out by South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba on Monday.
"I believe that its adoption by Provincial Synod would be an important first step in signaling to the LGBT community that we in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, through our top deliberative and legislative body, see them as welcome members of our body as sisters and brothers in Christ," the letter states.
The letter further says that same-sex couples and their children will be baptized under the church.
"We are of one mind that gay, lesbian and transgendered members of our church share in full membership as baptised members of the Body of Christ," the letter said.
The church however will not be marrying couples of the same sex, as the Archbishop revealed that bishops are divided over the subject and will need to further engage.
A meeting where the issue will be debated is expected to take place later in the year.
Watch: South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba in defense of LGBT human rights