Same-Gender blessings: NZ General Synod votes

Posted on May 14, 2014 
Filed under New Zealand

New ZealandThe Anglican Church of New Zealand claims it upholds “the traditional doctrine of marriage”… by moving to bless same-gender relationships —

“General Synod today passed a resolution that will create a pathway towards the blessing of same-gender relationships – while upholding the traditional doctrine of marriage.

It will appoint a working group to report to the 2016 General Synod on “a process and structure” that would allow those clergy who wish to bless same-gender relationships – using a yet-to-be developed liturgy – to do so. …

Synod has therefore upheld the traditional doctrine of marriage – but also moved to find ways to respond to committed relationships between two people, regardless of gender. In effect, it has also established a four-year timeline for change to take effect…”

– from Anglican Taonga.

See also The Archbishops’ Pastoral Letter:

“the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia is both affirming the traditional doctrine of marriage, exploring the recognition of those presently in life-long monogamous same-gender relationships, and seeking a process and structure to enable the possibility of a rite for blessing life-long monogamous same-gender relationships for those who wish to offer this rite.

We also are apologising unreservedly to the LGBT community where the church has not acted in a loving way.”