Same-sex relationships to be debated at next Australian General Synod
By Muriel Porter, Church Times:
SYDNEY diocese has prepared two “Statements” concerning same-sex relationships for debate at the next meeting of the Australian General Synod, to be held in May.
The first Statement insists that marriage is the “exclusive union of one man and one woman arising from mutual promises of lifelong faithfulness”. Marriage between a same-sex couple is therefore “contrary to the teaching of Christ and the faith, ritual, ceremonial and/or discipline of this Church”. Further, the blessing of same-sex marriage is “not in accordance with the teaching of Christ and the faith, ritual, ceremonial and/or discipline of this Church”.
The second Statement states that the General Synod “continues to hold the historic view that unchastity means sexual activity outside a marriage relationship”, where marriage relationships are defined as the marriage of one man and one woman.
“Statements”, provided for in the General Synod Constitution, have rarely if ever been used since the Constitution came into force in 1962. They can be made either by resolution or canon; various commentators on the Constitution have suggested that they can be used for the General Synod to express its mind on a particular matter, or to interpret questions concerning the doctrine or principles of the Church.
In an explanatory memorandum accompanying the Statements, Sydney diocese has acknowledged that even if a Statement is carried by a General Synod, it “will not override the decision of a diocesan synod or diocesan bishop”. Rather, it would guide them to act “in ways which are consistent with the views of the General Synod”.
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