Splinter group splits from Anglican church over same-sex blessings
by Charlie Gates, Stuff New Zealand:
A splinter group of renegade worshippers has split from the Anglican church over the decision to allow same-sex blessings.
Hundreds of worshippers in four Christchurch parishes voted in June and July to leave the Anglican diocese because they felt same-sex blessings contradicted the Bible.
Church officials says as many as eight more parishes across New Zealand were considering a similar move.
The vote in May allowed same-sex blessings in Anglican churches across New Zealand.
The Anglican ruling body, the general Synod, voted in May to allow same-sex blessings, but only if they are authorised by the local bishop. The motion only allowed blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples who were married elsewhere. The proposal would also give each diocese’s bishop and clergy immunity from complaint if they refused to conduct blessings of same-sex couples.
Soon after the motion was passed, congregations in St John’s Latimer Square, St John’s Woolston, St Stephen’s Shirley and South Christchurch parishes voted to leave the Anglican diocese. Two of the congregations voted above 90 per cent to leave, while the other two were above 80 per cent.
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