Some thoughts on the New Zealand response to the proposal from Sydney
By Martin Davie, Reflections of an Anglican Theologian.
On 9 May this year the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia passed a motion at its General Synod (‘Motion 29’) that will allow its bishops to permit the blessing of same-sex relationships, including same-sex civil marriages, in their dioceses.
On 23 August the Archbishop of Sydney, Glen Davies, wrote to ACANZP putting forward a proposal for the future development of Anglicanism in New Zealand and Polynesia in the light of the passing of this motion.[1]
He noted that:
‘….dissenting churches from Christchurch and elsewhere cannot in good conscience remain in ACANZP, despite the gracious offer of alternative oversight from Polynesian bishops. The problem is that these brothers and sisters cannot continue to be a part of a Church which in their understanding has changed its Canons to allow the blessing of same-sex couples living in sinful relationships. Yet these brothers and sisters are still Anglican, and recognised as such by most Anglicans around the world.’
His solution to this issue was to propose that a new Anglican church should be formed in New Zealand to provide a home for these people. This church would co-exist alongside the ACAZNP in the same way that the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe and the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe currently co-exist alongside each other in continental Europe…
…On 13 November Archbishop Donald Tamihere and Archbishop Philip Richardson replied to Archbishop Davies on behalf of the General Synod Standing Committee of ACANZP…
…they say they are unable to accept Archbishop Davies’ proposal. To an outside observer, however, it is not clear why this should be the case.
See also: New Zealand’s church leaders reject Sydney proposal for overlapping Anglican jurisdiction, from ACNS
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