Wed 14 May 2014 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
The Anglican Church of New Zealand and Polynesia has announced it will “explore ways that the blessing of same gender relationships could be part of Church life”. It’s unanimously passed a motion in at its General Synod in Waitangi, for a working party “to recommend processes and structures that allow people to choose whether they lead, or not lead, same gender blessings”. That choice will be dependent on whether each person believes such blessings are contrary to, or in agreement with scripture, doctrine, tikanga or civil law. The working party will report to the next General Synod in 2016. Any change is likely to take up a minimum of four years as it may require constitutional change for the church as well as parliamentary legislation. What does it mean? The church's Anglican Taonga website says that the Synod has "upheld the traditional doctrine of marriage – but also moved to find ways to respond to committed relationships between two people, regardless of gender". What about right now? The Synod says it’s mindful of the need to respond to members of the lgbt community in a more immediate time frame. It’s decided that people in same-sex civil unions or marriages can be recognised in public worship with clergy seeking the approval of the local bishop and licensed leadership body. However the recognition can’t be a rite of marriage or a blessing. Statements from the Archbishops The three Archbishops, reflecting the three tikanga structure of the Church, Archbishops Brown Turei, Philip Richardson, and Winston Halapua, say the Synod upholds the traditional doctrine of marriage. At the same time they say the Synod wants to develop ways to respond to committed relationships between two people,that tell of the love of Christ, regardless of gender. The Archbishops say the Synod holds a wide range of views but it has expressed unanimous support for the decision to identify what changes could be recommended. The Synod says it wants to protect diversity in the Church as a way forward is developed. Archbishop Winston Halapua, of the church's Polynesian wing, says, “The Synod is committed to ongoing talking/talanoa as it considers change and to follow the mandate of Christ to love one another at all times.” Archbishop Philip Richardson says, “We have witnessed across the Church a depth of extraordinary trust and respect, there is a unity in Christ in conversations that have enabled us to get to this point. There is a hope that this trust we have seen with faith, hope, and love will continue as change is considered.” Archbishop Brown Turei, of the church's Maori wing, says it is significant that this conversation about change for the church, that holds differing views, has taken place at Waitangi. “This is the place where Maori and Pakeha talked and trusted each other and began a new journey 200 years ago. The discussion we will have as change is considered, like those first ones here at Waitangi, will not be easy at all times but may we hold the mana of each of us made in the image of God,” Archbishop Brown says.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 14th May 2014 - 4:23pm