Single and Pregnant in the Methodist Church

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Methodist Minister Mr Xolisani Silolo was awarded a Master’s in Gender and Religion for his exploration of gendered church discipline within the Methodist Church. The study was inspired by witnessing the unjust treatment of single, pregnant women.

Silolo, who himself was born out of wedlock, said that his findings revealed that the practice of suspending and reinstating single pregnant individuals is not only inhumane, but also unjust. Despite a 2016 resolution aiming to cease this practice, the discrepancy between policy and implementation remained evident, showcasing systemic challenges within the Methodist Church.

He added that his goal was to challenge traditional notions of church discipline and gender roles, highlighting embedded disparities perpetuated by patriarchal hegemony. The research unearthed societal and theological issues. ‘It found that most single pregnant women are willing participants in this punitive practice. This means that they had been socialised to accept that having a child out of wedlock is a sin worth punishing. The problem is thus not just structural, but both theological and formational.’

Silolo believes that his study restores the use of theology to uplift and uphold the humanity of females within the ecclesiological space, contributing to feminist theology by advocating for the need to be gender sensitive when dealing with matters affecting females in a patriarchal space. It also contributes towards ecclesiology by showing that pregnancy is a God-given gift for the edification of the church.

While facing some resistance from within the Methodist Church, Silolo’s work has also received support for advocating for progressive reform and sparking vital conversations about gender-based discrimination. He is confident that adopting a pastoral approach with a gender-sensitive lens rather than perpetuating punitive measures will enable the church to become an inclusive, equitable sanctuary for all genders.

He thanked the Methodist Church and Professor Charlene van der Walt and Dr Xolani Sakuba for their support and mentorship.

‘Moreover, I thank my family, Nomathamsanqa, Lugcobo and Zungeziwe for allowing me to undertake this task while being a husband and a father. I extend my gratitude to my mother Lungelwa Silolo - I can only imagine what she went through as a single pregnant teenager within a Christian family and community.’

Words: Rakshika Sibran

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini