The Anglican Church of Southern Africa concluded its 38th Provincial Synod in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, where members discussed eco-theology, making the church inclusive of the elderly and disabled and church growth, among other topics.

During the Synod (September 20 to 23), members also expressed thanks to the primate, the Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of Southern Africa, for his service in the role. Archbishop Thabo is due to retire in September 2027 and so will not preside at any further Provincial Synods.

The Synod of Bishops released a communique on Sept 21, which covered many of the general topics the Synod heard during the course of the meeting. The Provincial Synod then shared four further statements on specific resolutions.

Anglican News shares highlights from the most recent Synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, including excerpts from the Synod of Bishops Communique, resolutions and Synod briefs.

Ministry for the Elderly and Disability Champions

Synod approved a resolution saying that ‘the Church’s ministry to the elderly must be rooted in pastoral care, compassion and justice,’ and that the elderly should not be put under pressure to contribute financially to parishes when they could not afford to do so.

Synod called upon dioceses, guilds and other groups to appoint Disability Champions to advocate for people living with disabilities to enable access and inclusivity in churches. A need was also put to the Synod for a resource manual for the advocacy of disability awareness in Dioceses and Parishes.

Ecological stewardship and rejection of the economy of war

A resolution was adopted opposing the establishment of data centres in the Province. The resolution said the environmental and social costs of such centres, which can run for 24 hours around the clock, using large amounts of electricity and water for cooling, are carried by local communities. Digital development must serve people, it added.

Synod also endorsed a partnership being developed between ACSA, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of the Free State arising from a sabbatical spent at the university by Archbishop Thabo, focused on eco-theology and an Ecumenical Water Conference in Amsterdam.

The Synod also expressed concern over the ‘alarming proliferation of drones and of weapons powered by artificial intelligence (AI), which enable attacks without risk to those who launch them, and of directed-energy weapons such as lasers, which attack targets without using physical projectiles’. They agreed that the Church's prophetic voice must be heard in these times and that ‘the Church must reject investment in the arms industry.’

Church growth

The Synod resolved to mandate a task team to continue work already under way to revise the current Provincial vision statement by developing a ‘Vision and Mission Statement 2030’ that includes a renewed focus on theology and evangelism. A report was heard from Growing the Church, which has done work recently in several dioceses.

A report was also presented on the progress of ACC-19 in Belfast. Synod members heard about Vision36, an ambitious church planting and revitalisation initiative, as well as reflection on gender and disability justice and the discussions on the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals.

Acknowledgements and honours

Synod congratulated the Diocese of Zululand on its 150th anniversary and heard a report on progress towards including the Diocese of Botswana in the Province. Bishop Metlhayotlhe Beleme of Botswana attended as a guest of the Synod. This was heard due to the possible future restructuring of the Church of the Province of Central Africa. Synod resolved for further work to be undertaken and the matter revisited next year.

The Revd Phillip A Jackson (Fr Phil), Rector of Trinity Church, New York, was installed as an Honorary Provincial Canon during Eucharist on the last day of the Provincial Synod. The meeting ended by celebrating the ministry of Bishop Nkosinathi Ndwandwe of Natal upon his retirement.

The distinguished theologian, Professor John Klaasen, was also awarded an Honorary Provincial Canonry. The Synod of Bishops made the award in recognition of his ‘outstanding ministry and scholarship, and in particular your steadfast enhancement of theological education for clergy in our Province’.

Marking the last Provincial Synod over which Archbishop Thabo will preside, the Archbishop was given a standing ovation and tribute was paid by the Rt Revd Stephen Diseko, Bishop of Matlosane, to his legacy.

Further statements on Synod resolutions

In addition to the Communique from the Synod of Bishops, the Provincial Synod released separate statements on some of the resolutions.

Gender-based violence and femicide

The Synod issued a motion of condolence and solidarity with the families of the women murdered in Ekurhuleni in recent weeks, together with a call to action against gender-based violence and femicide. The Synod was held in the region where nine women’s bodies were recently discovered, sparking a multidisciplinary investigation.

A time of silence and prayer was held in reflection of these deaths and the victims of all women and girls who experience gender-based violence. The Synod called for churches to establish safe pathways for survivors seeking help. It also called on ‘men and boys of our Church to become active partners in ending this violence, challenging harmful behaviour and modelling relationships of love, equality and mutuality’.

Resolution on Palestine

Concerning reports on the conflict affecting Palestine, Israel, Lebanon and Iran, focussing on the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians and on the situations in Gaza, the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, the Synod called on Anglicans and other people of faith to speak out on issues in the Middle East and pray regularly for all parties.

Resolution on gambling

Acknowledging a pervasive trend in the region, the Provincial Synod called for measures to protect vulnerable people from gambling-related harm, including stronger regulation of advertising, digital marketing, inducements and access to online betting. Their resolution stresses that ‘gambling-related harm does not affect only individuals, but can place families under financial strain, deepen poverty, contribute to debt and undermine household stability’.

Resolution on inclusion of members in same-sex unions and alternative liturgy

The Provincial Synod rejected two motions in regard to initiating a ‘ministry of inclusion’ for parishioners in same-sex relationships and developing an ‘alternative liturgy’ of prayers that are different from those of matrimony, blessing, civil partnership or reaffirmation of vows to serve the pastoral needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.

More information

See the Communique from the Synod of Bishops.

Read a round-up of the Provincial Synod Briefs.

See more resolutions on gender-based violence, Palestine, Gambling and same-sex relationships from the Synod.

See a video about Archbishop Thabo’s recent sabbatical to the Netherlands, reflecting on eco-theology.