We reported in May 2014 that New Zealand synod acts on same-gender blessings
The Way Forward Working Group has today released its report. It proposes two rites of blessing to be considered by this year’s General Synod.
The Way Forward Working Group was set up in the wake of the 2014 General Synod adopting “Motion 30” (http://www.anglicantaonga.org.nz/Features/Extra/Anga), the resolution that created a pathway towards the blessing of same-gender relationships – while upholding the traditional doctrine of marriage. Motion 30 called for the appointment of a working group to devise “a process and structure” by which this could happen – and a process and structure to ensure that clergy who believe that same sex blessings are contrary to “scripture, doctrine, tikanga or civil law” remain fully free to dissent.
The full text of the report is available here and there is an Executive Summary here.
Update Here is a link to a PDF version of the full report and another link to a PDF version of the archbishops’ covering letter.
Here’s the first part of the press release:
The long-awaited report of the Way Forward Working Group] has been released.
Today’s publication comes almost 18 months since the 13-member group began its work – and it proposes two new liturgies to be considered by May’s General Synod.
These liturgies have been designed to allow for the blessing of couples who have been married in a civil ceremony – according either to New Zealand law, or to the law in the Pacific Island nations which form part of this church. These liturgies also create a pathway for the people in such relationships to become ordained.
Civil marriages between a man and a woman have long been recognised in law in both New Zealand and in those Pacific Island nations. In New Zealand’s case, of course, an amendment to marriage law came into effect in August 2013 – which allows same-sex couples to legally marry.“A crucial matter for debate”
The Way Forward Working Group (WFWG) report makes a precept-upon-precept case for how such civil marriages could be blessed by the church.
The Anglican Church in this province is governed by a set of documents, the most significant of which are the Church of England Empowering Act of 1928, and Te Pouhere , the Constitution of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, which came into force in 1992.
Te Pouhere in turn specifies a number of “Formularies” (such as a New Zealand Prayer Book/He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa ) which guide the Church in its worship and practice.
The new constitution also spells out a way in which formularies can be changed (or added to) –providing these changes don’t, in the words of the report, “represent any departure from the Doctrine and Sacraments of Christ as defined in Te Pouhere’s own Fundamental Provisions.”
The rites of blessing being proposed are being presented as “additional formularies”, rather than doctrinal changes:
“It is the view of the majority of the group,” the report notes, “that the proposed liturgies do not represent a departure from the Doctrine and Sacraments of Christ, and are therefore not prohibited by Te Pouhere, however the group also recognises that this will be a crucial matter for debate.”
There is more, go here for the rest of it.
“The blessing of a marriage for same-sex couples is presented as a separate rite from that offered for use by opposite-sex couples, although the two rites will be found to be largely similar.”
I think the Kiwis are kidding themselves, if they believe the Primates won’t send them to the naughty corner, along w/ TEC. :-/
“I think the Kiwis are kidding themselves, if they believe the Primates won’t send them to the naughty corner, along w/ TEC. :-/” JCF
I think they realize the “naughty corner” (love that, thanks JCF) isn’t as much a punishing/dark voyage as a delightful vacation in the SUN! It’s a walk in the park!
Leonard Clark
Leonardo Ricardo
I just can’t see the Maori or Polynesian bishops/laity within the Church endorsing this.
I for one, would be glad to spend some time in the naughty corner with our friends from TEC, and I predict that what will move the Communion away from the uneasy compromise by the Primates last month will be other Provinces choosing to make changes of this sort even if they bring “relational consequences”. I would even welcome a resolution by General Synod voluntarily imposing the same conditions on ourselves as have been imposed on TEC. Having read most of the report, I believe the most significant part of the proposals, and the one that will bring the most… Read more »
RIW: The late great (Maori) Archbishop Sir Paul Reeves would definitely have approved.
Have readers noticed that what is proposed in this ‘Way Forward’ in our Aotearoa/New Zealand’Pacifica Church – though short of a marriage ceremony for Same-Sex couples – does allow for a ‘Blessing’ of a lergally married Same-Sex couple. It even would allow a clergy-person in a civil partnership to be ‘Blessed’ in the Church. This is one stage further than the just-announced “Acceptance” of LGBT couples and their families in the Anglican Church of South Africa. Abp. MakGoba has stated, though, that their relationships may not be “Blessed” by the Church. Nor may anyone be ordained who is part of… Read more »
Many studies have shown that Maori are no more homophobic than Europeans, RIW
All members of the Maori and Mana parties voted for Same-sex marriage in the parliament.
Polynesia is not so welcoming but I would say this very much due to missionary colonisation. Note that same-sex marriage is legal in areas colonised by the French.
Point taken..but I think with the evangelical diocese of Nelson there will not be a easy passage. Plus the fact that in twenty seven years no women bishops have not been consecrated in the Maori and Polynesian dioceses.
Robert, you don’t seem to understand – not having lived in Aotearoa for many years now – that ACANZP, the Anglican Church in New Zealand, now operates under 3 separate jurisdictions. This means that Pakenham, Maori and Pacific Islands sections of our Church are acknowledged as having diverse but coordinated cultural streams. Your comments about differences in likely diocesan responses to the ‘Ma Whea’ Commission findings will be catered for explicitly by the proposed provisions for individual diocesan action to be taken. Furthermore, in traditional Maori and Pacific Islands culture – which we respect by virtue of our 3 Tikanga… Read more »
And, in the meantime, there are rumours of a Sydney diocese cultural war on gay people in the Australian Church. From the Newcastle Heroald comes the news:
“Cultural change: Newcastle Anglican Bishop Greg Thompson has criticised the emergence of a “para Anglican Communion” led by the conservative Anglican Sydney diocese. He says there is a need for cultural change in the church.”.
Wow Ron, paganism trumps St Paul!
Yes, Robert. Nearly as scandalous as duplicate popes – or the child abuse problems in thre R.C Church.
Bosco Peters has a major article about some issues with this proposal
http://liturgy.co.nz/blessing-same-sex-couples-a-way-forward