township catholic church braves discussion on homosexuality

By Mongezi Mhlongo and Jabulani Dube (BTM Reporters)

SOUTH AFRICA – 5 November 2008: For the first time, Soweto’s Good Shepherd Catholic Church organised a discussion about homosexuality within the church last week.

Every Tuesday, the Protea North church holds an open discussion on various topics pertinent to the church and the community aiming to create dialogue regarding those issues.

The homosexuality debate gained moment with mare communities eager to come and participate in a discussion.

According to Father Bateng Motshwane of Good Shepard Catholic Church, the discussion was very informative and didactic. “There is a danger when people make assumptions thinking that they know and fail to understand the real issues”, the Father warned.

He added: “Once people get a chance to engage with the subjects they might start to view things from a different perspective.”

Explaining the objectives of this discussion, organiser Busi Ndaba said that “it is for the community to accept, not to reject their children when they come out of the closet, not to be judgmental, and not to be scared of the next person and not to force them get married under pressure, and mostly to make our community understand about gay and lesbian [issues].”

Ndaba added that the Catholic church has its own ideologies which should be understood. She however said that change is bound to happen.

“As the church, we are trying to have all gays and lesbians back to church. The Cardinals and the Bishop will accept these conditions if our children come to church”.

Referring to the discussion, Motshwane said; “I really liked it that participants were open and did not hide”, referring to their answers on sexuality, religion and family.

Asked whether he could conduct and bless a gay marriage, Motshwane responded that “I personally have no problems with that. However, if I were to marry (sic) gay couples I would stand to be ostracised by the church because of its stand on homosexuality.”

Motshwane emphasised the importance of acceptance which, he says, will enable people to live together and embrace diversity.

Over the years Roman Catholic Church has been very clear about its stance on the subject of homosexuality. It has been a burning issue during this year’s Lambeth Conference in the UK and the Gafcon Conference in Jerusalem, and to date no consensus has been reached.