Thu 17 Oct 2013 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Geno Sisneros The Human Rights Tribunal has dismissed gay Auckland man Geno Sisneros’ complaint about the Anglican Diocese of Auckland preventing him from becoming a priest. It has ruled the Bishop of Auckland did not breach the Human Rights Act because he was complying with church rules – where a priest must be single and celibate, or in a straight marriage. "The Human Rights Act 1993 allows exceptions to some discrimination laws, including where organised religions are following their doctrine. "The Tribunal is not asked to deliberate on what the rules, doctrines or established customs within the Anglican Church are, or ought to be." Sisneros has told GayNZ.com whatever the decision was, it would not change much for him personally anyway - as the Tribunal would not actually be able to change the Church’s policy. He was happy the Bishop acknowledged he had discriminated against him during the hearings. “As far as I’m concerned, what my case has done, if anything, is put a certain amount of pressure onto the church because all of New Zealand is watching. And there are lot of Anglicans like myself who want to see the church leading the human rights struggle, rather than fighting against it,” he told GayNZ.com earlier this year.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 17th October 2013 - 9:13pm