April 4 2014

Report on Same Gender Blessings and Ordinations

The Anglican Church has released the report by its Commission on Same Gender Blessings and Ordinations.

The name of the Commission is Ma Whea?:Mei Fe Ki Fe?: Where To? The name reflects the role of the Commission during the past two years and its work across the three Tikanga of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

The Commission, chaired by former Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, was asked to listen, read, discuss, and provide a description of possible options for a way forward. From the options the Church could make an informed decision, or series of decisions, at the upcoming and subsequent General Synods.

General Secretary of the Church, the Rev’d Michael Hughes, says it would be wrong to see the report as stating any conclusion, recommendation or position of the Anglican Church across New Zealand and Polynesia.

“This is a valuable resource with an analysis and critique of a wide spectrum of church views that now becomes part of the Church’s conversations and deliberations for our General Synod – Te Hinota Whanui next month.”

The Commission sought to solicit as many views as possible, to engage in conversations across the church with bishops, priests and lay people, and to do its own reading before finalizing its report. A total of 199 submissions were received. The report notes views on both sides of the issue with a significant body of opinion in the middle ground.

The Commission believes the way forward seems to call for criteria that will find general acceptance in the Church community. The criteria may or may not involve change. In its conclusion the report lists ten possible options for the Church to consider.

While no conclusions are reached, Michael Hughes says the Church has decided to release the reports so all can see the process that is being worked through. He says it would be wrong to pre-empt the work of the General Synod by making any further comment until it meets. (May 10-16)

A copy of the Report is available here.

ENDS

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