Pope Francis has deemed same-sex attraction “not a crime” and laws criminalizing LGBT people as a 'sin' and an injustice. Also, on February 9, 2023, the Church of England voted in favor of blessings for same-sex unions. England had a heated and long debate: 250 votes to 181 to back a proposal by bishops intended to end years of painful divisions and disagreement over sexuality.
These moments are the motivation and fuel that LGBTQ+ Anglicans were waiting for in their journey of self-worth and religious devotion. While the Pope and English Church made these statements Anglican Churches around the world, specifically in the Global South --with special attention to The Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), which represents churches in 24 countries and provinces including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda --are in outcry.
Pope Francis took a tour to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan along with Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Iain Greenshields.
The Pope urged “the people of South Sudan to resist the "venom of hatred" so they could achieve the peace and prosperity that have eluded them through years of bloody ethnic conflicts” (Pullela). It is interesting that these cultural differences are clashing so intensely. While usually, Anglicans across the world would look to the thought process or guidance of these religious figures, those in the Global South are questioning the motives and capabilities of their leaders. This is not a surprising reaction from those countries, specifically South Sudan, as is explained in their country’s global barometer of LGBTQ+ rights.
As stated in a The Guardian article: “Samy Fawzy Shehata, the archbishop of Alexandria in Egypt, told the synod that “crossing this line of blessing same-sex unions will alienate 75% of the Anglican Communion” and “lead eventually to impaired and broken communion” (Sherwood). With the majority of the religion against the blessing of same-sex unions, this news is highly critical of the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals in a plethora of countries. While England may bless the civil marriages of same-sex couples the church’s definition of marriage remains between “a woman and a man”. The synod stated, “the church will apologize for the harm it has caused to LGBTQ+ people”, while the majority of the constituents are against the vote blessing LGBTQ+ individuals there is confusion around how the church will truly aid the community.
There is also a discussion of how economic funding, lobbyists, and “outsiders” of the religion will influence further thought processes on LGBTQ+ identity and the Church.
While these positive moments seem to be ushering in great change, and a positive future, each action, and statement have its caveat. The definition of marriage is still between a man and a woman, which is not inclusive of all LGBTQ+ individuals. Civil unions or marriages are blessed but not sacramental unions, meaning they hope LGBTQ+ individuals will find aid to their legal or political troubles, but their marriage will still not be “ordained under God”. The Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches are not backing down and is looking to reinstate leadership that they believe follows the true doctrines of the church.
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