With no other nominations being received, a lesbian is set to become the new head of the New Zealand Methodist Church. This move threatens to divide the Methodist movement. The Rev Diana Tana is currently head of the Maori arm of the Methodist Church. Gay clergy have been allowed since 1997, and Rev Tana is currently in a lesbian relationship. Conservatives are unhappy with the prospect of a lesbian leading the church, saying “it's one thing to allow gay clergy in the church, but having a homosexual leading the church is another matter”. But other church members say Methodists must move with the times. A breakaway conservative movement has already been established in New Zealand since the acceptance of gays into the Methodist church, and its membership of 2000 is expected to rise if Rev Tana is put in charge of the Church. If no further nominations are received, the Methodist Church in New Zealand will have a lesbian leader by next month.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Sunday, 16th October 2005 - 12:00pm