Archbishop presents proposal for NZ Anglican future

Aug 29, 2018 by Jill

by Russell Powell, Sydney Anglicans:

Archbishop Glenn Davies has addressed some of the leaders of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia (ACANZP), proposing ‘Distinctive Co-existence’ as a solution to the issues facing the Church after their Synod’s decision to allow the blessings of same gender relationships.

In May, the three Tikanga, or cultural streams, of the Province – Pakeha (New Zealanders of European descent), Maori and Pasifika (Polynesian) – voted that there should be no change to ‘the Church’s teaching on the nature of marriage [which] is to affirm marriage as between a man and a woman’.

However, following the recommendations of ‘Report on Motion 29 Working Group’ to amend the canons of ACANZP, the General Synod passed Motion 7, which authorised diocesan bishops to allow clergy in their diocese to bless same gender relationships in ‘a non-formulary service’. According to the amended canon, no member of the clergy can face disciplinary action either for agreeing to bless such relationships, or for refusing to do so.

The Diocese of Polynesia will not implement this accommodation as its members oppose the blessing of same-sex relationships and Pacific Island countries such as Samoa, Tonga and Fiji do not recognise same-sex unions. However, Tikanga Pasifika did not block the resolution for Tikanga Maori and Tikanga Pakeha.

Read here

See also: Splinter group splits from Anglican Church over same sex blessings, by Charlie Gates, Stuff New Zealand: