‘Historic’ day as Tasmanian Anglican Church votes to sell 76 church buildings

“The Anglican Diocese of Tasmania has voted to sell 108  properties, including 76 church buildings, to fund its $8.6 million involvement in the national redress scheme.

After several hours of debate, the church’s Synod almost unanimously voted to pass a motion to sell the properties. …”

– Report from The Examiner.

Diocese of Tasmania Synod meets this week

The Diocese of Tasmania Synod is meeting this meet – on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd June.

Among other issues for discussion is the Redress Fund Ordinance. Doubtless, Synod members would appreciate prayers for wisdom in their deliberations.

Related: Descendants oppose Tasmanian church sale – The Examiner.

‘Melbourne Anglican church and clergy take part in same-sex wedding’ — report

“davidould.net has received video and photos from a same-sex wedding that took place on 12 May 2018 and involved a number of licensed Anglican ministers. …”

– A report from David Ould, who is seeking clarification on what took place on a Baptist church property in inner-city Melbourne.

NZ move prompts ‘deep regret’ in Sydney

“A move by the Anglican Church in New Zealand to allow for the blessing of same-sex unions has led to a strong statement from the Diocese of Sydney. …

At its first meeting since the decision, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Sydney passed a motion which ‘notes with deep regret that the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia has amended its Canons to allow bishops to authorise clergy to bless same-sex unions’…”

– Read the full story at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Here’s the resolution in full:

Standing Committee conveys to the Primates of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia that it:

a.     notes with deep regret that the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia has amended its Canons to allow bishops to authorise clergy to bless same-sex unions;

b.     notes with regret that this step is contrary to the teaching of Christ (Matt 19:1-12) and is contrary to Resolution I.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference;

c.      expresses our support for those Anglicans who have left or will need to leave the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia because of its abandonment of biblical teaching, and those who struggle and remain; and

d.     prays that the ACANZP will return to the doctrine of Christ in this matter and that impaired relationships will be restored.

– Source, SydneyAnglicans.net.

Moore College comes up well in student survey

“Moore College participated in the National Course Experience Survey this year for the first time. This tool allows graduating students at Australian universities and private higher education providers to evaluate their experience.

The Australian Government Department of Education runs the survey, and publishes the results on the Quality Indicators in Learning and Teaching (QILT) website. …”

– Good news from Moore College, as their Open Week (21-25 May 2018) begins.

Moore College Open Events May 2018

From Moore College in Newtown:

“Each year at Moore we hold Open Events to give people an opportunity to find out more about the College. We would love to welcome you on Open Night or any day during Open Week in May, to get a taste of life at Moore!

Here are the details of our first Open Events for 2018…”

Gafcon UK offers support to FCA New Zealand after same sex blessings vote

A statement from Bishop Andy Lines, speaking on behalf of Gafcon UK:

“With this decision, another Anglican Province follows TEC, Canada and Scotland in believing it has the authority to redefine marriage…”

Full statement below:

“We are not surprised, but nevertheless deeply saddened and concerned by the decision by the General Synod of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa to accept Motion 29 and so pave the way for the blessing of same sex relationships.

We note that only those in civil marriages or lawfully recognised partnerships will be eligible for these blessings. This shows that while a short time ago many church leaders around the world were arguing for such blessings but drew the line at same-sex marriage (as in the Church of England’s Pilling Report), now that line appears to have been removed. With this decision, another Anglican Province follows TEC, Canada and Scotland in believing it has the authority to redefine marriage, and offer the Church’s blessing to relationships which the Bible and centuries of Christian tradition clearly teach that God warns against and cannot bless.

It is encouraging that despite the huge pressure to conform to Motion 29 and the secular humanist ideology behind it, many courageous New Zealand Anglicans not only voted against the Motion, but are already looking to the emergence of new Anglican structures, which remain faithful to the Scriptures in contrast to those who have departed from them.

We pray for Rev Jay Behan and others in Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand, and rejoice in their close association with the majority of Anglicans worldwide who continue to preach the biblical gospel of repentance from sin and new life in Christ. Jay and other representatives from FCANZ will receive a warm welcome and full support from all at June’s Gafcon gathering, and ongoing solidarity from Gafcon UK as they plan for the future.”

– From GAFCON UK.

FCANZ Response to the Blessing of Same Sex Relationships

Here’s a response from The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand to today’s decision by the Anglican Church in NZ to allow the blessing of same-sex relationships:

“We believe the General Synod has acted in a way which leaves behind biblical authority, the apostolic tradition, and the doctrine and practice our church has always held. Upon the passing of the motion General Synod members Rev. Jay Behan (Chair of FCANZ) and Rev. Al Drye immediately resigned. …”

Full statement below –

FCANZ Response to Blessing of Same Sex Relationships

“It is with deep sadness that the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand (FCANZ) receives the news that General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui has passed the Motion 29 Report allowing the blessing of same-sex relationships. While we are thankful for the gracious spirit in which the debate was held, we disagree with the final outcome. We believe the General Synod has acted in a way which leaves behind biblical authority, the apostolic tradition, and the doctrine and practice our church has always held. Upon the passing of the motion General Synod members Rev. Jay Behan (Chair of FCANZ) and Rev. Al Drye immediately resigned.

FCANZ believes that God loves all people, from all walks of life, calling each of us to repent and have faith in Jesus Christ. Sometimes speaking of this love involves saying difficult things that run counter to the culture of today. However we remain convinced that it is good for all humanity and the only place for the church to stand.

In light of the decision of the General Synod we are ready to support people and parishes that cannot remain within this changed Anglican structure. We will work together nationally and internationally to provide fellowship and support as we look towards new ways and structures of ministering the unchanging good news of Jesus.”

– Source: FCANZ. Photo: FCANZ Chairman, The Rev. Jay Behan.

Related: Yes to blessings – Anglican Taonga, 09 May 2018.

“The Anglican Church this morning has paved the way for the blessing of same gender relationships.

At 11:20 this morning, by majority vote, General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui passed Motion No 7 – which is the motion which accepts the report and recommendations of the Motion 29 small working group.

That acceptance is subject to the appointment of a select committee which will consider and report back to General Synod – before it finishes today – on a range of detail which the Synod must be sorted before the passage of the constitutional and canonical changes necessary to give the decision effect.

The decision, nonetheless, is clear – after almost 50 years of debate about human sexuality, the Anglican Church has created a pathway for the blessing of same-gender couples.

#

There was no further discussion this morning about the principles at stake.

That debate was held late yesterday afternoon – and the convenor of the Motion 29 Small Working Group, the Rev Katene Eruera, waived his right as mover of the motion to respond to yesterday’s discussion.

The better part of two hours, however, was spent in a discussion about the process of voting.

Last evening, Mr Tony Hill called for a caucus by tikanga to consider assent to the proposition.

This church’s canons have an in-built mechanism to allow any one tikanga to veto a proposal before the house.

The three tikanga caucused for some time, and decided among themselves as to whether they would assent to the motion being put to the vote.

Each of the three tikanga assented to the vote being taken – and then by voices, the motion was carried.

#

The Rev Al Drye from Christchurch then called for a show of hands, then for synod representatives to stand – and these visibly confirmed that the motion, by a big majority, had been passed.

By contrast to General Synod 2016, when the Way Forward report and its recommendations were shelved, the reaction to today’s decision was, after a brief burst of applause, quite muted.

Sadness, perhaps, though, that despite the best efforts of the Motion 29 working group, some have said they can no longer stay in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.”

Churches make up majority of Anglican assets earmarked for sale

“The Anglican Church of Tasmania has published a preliminary list of properties it is proposing to sell to fund redress for survivors of child sexual abuse. …”

– Report and image from The Examiner.

See also the Preliminary list, of proposed properties for sale, for submission to Synod (PDF) – from The Diocese of Tasmania.

New Bishop for Gippsland

Dr Richard Treloar, Vicar of Christ Church South Yarra, has been elected as the 13th Bishop of Gippsland.

There’s an announcement on the Gippsland website.

David Ould has some thoughts about the announcement.

‘I believe you and I will care for you’: After the Royal Commission

“So big has been the impact of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that one denomination, Anglican, in this part of Australia — the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn — has paid out four million dollars to victims over the past three years.

Without alarm, the man who was until Easter Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn told me the compensation costs would only increase.

We conducted an ‘exit interview’ in the weeks before he stepped down. …”

– Story from The Sydney Morning Herald. (Photo: Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.)

Newcastle Diocese Strategic Directions 2018-2021

After consultations across his diocese, Bishop Peter Stuart, Bishop of Newcastle, has released a Strategic Directions and Work Plan for 2018 – 2021.

Read about it and download it here and be encouraged to pray for the churches of the Newcastle Diocese.

‘Men Praying for Moore’ Breakfast — Saturday 5th May

Here’s an opportunity for men to gather, to pray for Moore College.

“…to share in breakfast and pray, and to be informed on how they might continue to pray. … Archbishop of Sydney The Most Rev Dr Glenn Davies … will lead a brief devotional.”

Saturday 5th May 2018, 8:30 – 10:00am.

RSVP by April 27.

Details from the College.

New trial expected soon for Asia Bibi

“On Saturday, the Chief Justice of Pakistan confirmed a new hearing will be held soon and has ordered full security provisions to be given to Asia Bibi’s legal team. …”

– Report from Premier UK.

Tasmanian Anglicans to sell more than 120 properties for redress scheme

“Tasmania’s Anglican Church will sell more than 120 of its properties to contribute to the national redress scheme for survivors of child sex abuse, prompting Tasmanian survivors to hail the plan as ’groundbreaking’.

The proposed figure equates to nearly half of all the Diocese’s property in the state. …”

– Story from The Examiner.

See also: Anglican Church in Tasmania sacrifices to fund Redress – Diocese of Tasmania.

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