Abstract

SENOKOANE, Boitumelo Ben. Questions on the Ordination of "Homosexual" Members in the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. Studia Hist. Ecc. [online]. 2023, vol.49, n.3, pp.1-13. ISSN 2412-4265.  http://dx.doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/10652.

This article aims to engage the topic of homosexuality, with special reference to the ordination of homosexual people. This was informed by the ongoing conversation that has been happening within the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) since their 2005 Pietermaritzburg General Synod. The church has put a moratorium on the licensing of ministry students, ordination of proponents and marriage officiation of its homosexual members until such a time that the synod makes its decision. A task team was appointed to do research and consult with congregations of the church. The aim of the article is not to provide answers but rather to ask radical theological, medical and biological questions that would assist the church in making informed decisions based on current experiences and realities. The Reformed and Creation theologies shall be used as a tool to engage and clarify questions. Questions are viewed as important to move towards finding answers and solutions to the issue of the ordination of "homosexual" ministers from the LGBTQIA+ community.

Keywords : ordination; homosexuality; LGBTQIA+ community; image of God; Reformed.

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