Church Support For Homosexual Bill Criticised (Press, 13 April 1985)

On 13 April 1985, the Presbyterian Church's endorsement of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill faced backlash from two of its congregations. The joint public questions committee of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches recently asserted that consensual homosexual acts among males in private should not be criminalised. This stance garnered support from the Rev. Peter Wedde, the Moderator of the Auckland Presbyterian Church, who expressed his personal backing for the bill. In contrast, the North Invercargill Presbyterian Church session, which is the largest Presbyterian congregation south of Hastings, unanimously voted to dissociate from the joint committee. Their statement expressed the belief that the committee's position would lead to a “spiritual decline” within the Church and contribute to the “moral disintegration” of society. They urged the committee to “repent before God and the nation” for its stance. Moreover, the Auckland Presbytery decided to oppose the bill, despite Wedde’s personal support. The presbytery, through a close vote of 37-31, resolved to inform the parliamentary select committee reviewing the bill of its opposition. Following this decision, Wedde acknowledged his right to express his personal views and indicated that he did not concur with the presbytery's resolution. He also noted that the feedback he had received regarding his stance was roughly balanced between support and opposition.

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