File photo It’s emerged an attempt to ban Presbyterian ministers from conducting same-sex marriage ceremonies narrowly failed at the church’s General Assembly. It only just missed the 60 per cent majority required to pass into church law. A majority of 75 per cent did back a motion to oppose the marriage equality bill, and a submission will be made to Parliament against it. “There are strong feelings on either side of this issue, and we respect the range of genuinely held beliefs in our Church,” a statement from the church’s Moderator, the Right Rev Ray Coste says. “We know that some people felt hurt by this decision. It is important to note that what we stand together on as a Church far outweighs the issues that divide us.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 12th October 2012 - 11:03am