The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia has voted to uphold “the traditional doctrine of marriage” by creating a liturgy for the blessing of same-sex unions.
The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia has voted to uphold “the traditional doctrine of marriage” by creating a liturgy for the blessing of same-sex unions. A statement released by the church’s news service on 14 May 2014 reported “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.” A commission has also been created to find a “process and structure” that would permit clergy to bless gay unions. They are to report their findings to the 2016 session of synod. In their pastoral letter to the church, the three archbishops of the province wrote the church was “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.” However members of the synod tell The Church of England Newspaper the motion was an uneasy compromise. The motion does not yet permit gay blessings, angering liberals, while the claim of upholding tradition by creating gay blessings was seen as nonsensical by conservatives.
