If your religious festivals follow lunar phases and seasonal solstices, you will be happy to know that marriage under pagan rite and ritual is now a possibility for South Africans.
The South African Pagan Rights Alliance (Sapra) has been designated by the department of home affairs a religious organisation under section 5 of the Civil Union Act (17 of 2006). In terms of the Act, Sapra may now solemnise marriages and civil partnerships.
Civil unions performed by the larger religious groups, however, seem unlikely, as the major faiths refuse to condone the same-sex partnerships provided for by the Act.
‘This is the first time — that pagans will be permitted the opportunity to become religious marriage officers. Sapra is the first pagan organisation to be granted this designation,†says Sapra convener Damon Leff.
Sapra has nominated 13 pagans to become religious marriage officers. Once their registration is complete, traditional ceremonies will be legally recognised. To qualify the nominees must write a test set by home affairs within six months of Sapra’s registration.
The Civil Union Act, which came into law in 2006, was heavily criticised by mainstream religious leaders as it allows for same-sex couples to be united in marriage or life partnerships. It does not repeal the Marriage Act (25 of 1961), which deals specifically with marriage between men and women.
Pagan tradition entirely accepts same-sex marriage. Says Leff: ‘Pagans are embracing and supportive of diversity of religion and sexual preference. There are no prohibitions against same-sex partners or same-sex marriage.â€
Other religious groups have not taken the opportunity to register to perform civil unions. While certain Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups have registered, influential bodies such as the Catholic and Anglican Churches have not.
The Anglican Church’s stance is that ‘same- sex marriage cannot be regarded as marriage in the eyes of God — We do not recognise or bless such unions.†This is according to a statement made in 2005 at the height of public debate about the Civil Union Act. Vicar-general David Beetge says the church’s stance has remained unchanged since then.
Similarly, the Catholic Church will not register to perform civil unions, as the church does not believe in same-sex marriage, says Chris Townsend of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
In the Jewish community, the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ), which represents 8% to 10% of Jews living in the country, has begun the registration process. ‘We believe in equality,†says Steve Lurie, SAUPJ chairperson, ‘and that gay people are entitled to their spot of happiness.â€
The Inner Circle (TIC), a Cape Town-based NGO, has already assisted in performing two same-sex marriages in the Muslim community. But, says TIC director Muhsin Hendricks, the organisation only carried out the religious aspects of the ceremony. ‘We will apply but we have not gone down that route yet,†says Hendricks.
Hendricks says the TIC is dealing with a great deal of homophobia within the Muslim community, which is the most opposed to same-sex partnerships.
André Muller, a former NGK minister who runs the Reforming Church in Pretoria, ministers to many gay people from the NGK congregation. His church has applied and is recognised as a religious denomination with the authority to perform civil unions.
‘The old Marriage Act of 1961 is actually outdated and should gradually be phased out, so that there is only one Act under which couples can marry,†Muller said. ‘Most people wrongly assume that the Civil Union Act is intended for same-sex couples only. It is not. What is more important is that the underlying principle of the kind of relationship between the two parties is one of equality.â€
