Church In Action Letter To Home Affairs Re Ssm

16 September 2006 The Hon Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula Department of Home Affairs Private Bag X114 Pretoria 0001 Dear Hon Minister Mapisa-Nqakula, We write to you as leaders of a network of churches in Pietermaritzburg called Church in Action, representing some thirty actively involved congregations, as well as another twenty congregations in our area, involving about 25 000 Christian citizens in the Msunduzi Municipality. Our concern relates to the issue of same-sex marriage now being considered by Parliament. We, along with those we represent, believe that marriage in South Africa must be maintained as the union of one man and one woman. This is the foundation of the family and the best unit – tested over the entire course of human history – within which children can be successfully raised up to form the next generation and contribute positively to society. We are deeply concerned that any altering of this vital institution to include same-sex pairings will bring negative and even calamitous consequences to the already fraying social fabric of our young democracy. Most especially are we concerned for the children of our country. Too many children in South Africa are growing up without fathers, or without parents at all. Same-sex marriage will, by definition and conscious government policy, lead to depriving children of either a mother or a father. But children so desperately need both a mother and a father. As pastors, we live and work at the coalface of human joy and misery, and everything in between. We realise that we do not live in an ideal world where every marriage is happy and lasting, and every child is as loved and cared for as they need and deserve to be. Too many marriages end in separation or divorce, with children paying the lion’s share of the price. In our ministries we seek to provide all the love, encouragement and support we can to families that have been torn asunder, for whatever reason. We have also had many opportunities to minister to people who are homosexually attracted or involved in same-sex relationships. We have felt deeply and prayed fervently for these beloved brothers and sisters. Thus it is that we do not write to you out of an un-Christian mindset of homophobia or out of a desire to abridge the legitimate civil rights of gay people in any way.

Furthermore, it is not only because our Scriptures say so, but also out of our years of experience in ministry, that we know that marital unions of one man and one woman work best and provide the most solid and vibrant soil from which families and children grow. Far from seeking to deny anyone’s civil rights, it is our desire to see government policy contribute to the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical health of families and children. We believe that supporting traditional marriage is the wisest and most fruitful course that Parliament could take at this crucial time in our nation’s history. We thus call on you to ask Parliament to enact a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Since Parliament has already passed some twelve amendments on other matters since 1996, we would not view this course as a radical idea nor an insurmountable obstacle. Should same-sex marriage become law in South Africa, we as Christian pastors would be put in an invidious position if it ever became required of us to perform ceremonies celebrating or certifying same-sex unions or marriages. We are not in any way seeking confrontation with the government of South Africa or its laws; indeed, we eagerly strive to be positively contributing citizens of our beloved country. However, we would be prevented by our Lord, by our Scriptures and by our consciences from performing same-sex marriages or unions and our allegiance on this matter would be to the aforementioned authorities above our allegiance to the laws of the state. Again, it is our aim in every way possible to be cooperative with government. But we do want to make ourselves clear as to where we stand on this vital matter. We commit to keeping you and our government in much prayer in these days as you consider these important matters. We thank you for giving attention to our views and our pleas and we put ourselves at your service in the task of strengthening and ministering to South African families. Respectfully submitted,

Anthony Naidoo Chairperson Church in Action Quinton Aiyer James Arnot Tony Beepath Alan Bruce Daya Chetty Leslie Chetty Ruth Coeser Terrence Francis A B Gengan Indran Govender Clive Govender

Joined by Kevin Jones Russ Kain Clive Lawler Ashley Munien Patrick Mveli Selva Naicker Jonothan Nathaniel Jacques Oberholzer Richard Pillay Mogenthran Pillay Sherwin Pillay

Lee Rajah Victor Ramlingham Eugene Reddiar Paul Saul Paul Simpson Henry Sterly Rajin Subiah Dean Tyson John van Niekerk Peter van Niekerk Alan Wade