Geno Sisneros The Human Rights Tribunal is hearing the case of a gay man who was rejected for training as a priest by the Anglican Church. The hearing has begun today for Geno Sisneros, a parishioner and the Events Manager at inclusive Auckland church Matthew-in-the-City. On Sunday, he told the congregation about the action he was taking. “My partner Michael and I wanted to say a few words to you this morning for a couple of reasons,” he said. “The first is that we want to thank you all for the love and support that you have given us especially over the past couple of years as we as a congregation publicly took a stand against the policy of discrimination by our bishop regarding the ordination of gay and lesbian people. “Since that time Michael and I have been involved in a process through the Human Rights Commission and that has now eventuated into a formal complaint to the Human Rights Review Tribunal against the Bishop of Auckland.” Sisneros said the hearing, which began this morning, is expected to take 1-2 weeks. He expected significant media attention due to the controversial nature of the issue. “There may be some who won't agree with the path Michael and I have chosen and I assure you that it was not a decision we took lightly. We ask for your prayers anyway,” he said. Sisneros has made a statement to the Tribunal saying he felt totally humiliated that he had spent six years of his life in study, for a process that he was not permitted to enter because he was a gay man and in a relationship. "My humiliation and disappointment continue to this day." Bishop Ross Bay told One News last night that he was following the church's doctrines.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 6th May 2013 - 12:18pm