The Presbyterian Church today voted to ban anyone in a sexual relationship outside marriage from its leadership roles. Its General Assembly voted 65-35 to confirm the exclusion, which includes both gay minsters and heterosexual couples who are not married. The decision was first taken two years ago, but was confirmed today. The ruling will not apply to anyone licensed, ordained or inducted prior to 2004. The vote was expected to be close so the scale of the victory was surprising. The debate on both sides was emotional but polite. One delegate, from the Bay of Plenty, said: "We follow the scriptures, not Shortland Street, we follow Christ not culture." Newly-elected moderator Pamela Tankersley asked everybody to remain in silent in prayer after the vote. She then called for a minute's silence and held a prayer to ask for God to help the church from this point. A Gay minister from Wellington asked to have his dissent recorded. But the moderator said he would have to go outside and record it in writing. It is unclear whether the vote will cause a split in the church, as happened in 2003 when the opposite decision was taken allowing non-married leaders. Ref: NZ Herald (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 29th September 2006 - 12:00pm