What’s bishop’s view on samesex marriages?

THE statement by the Bishop of Dunedin in explaining the General Synod’s recent decisions on samesex marriage leaves me flabbergasted (ODT, 12.5.18).

The bishop attempts to defend the quite untenable distinction between blessing a samesex relationship while declining to celebrate the marriage of the same couple in an Anglican church.

The hypocrisy of this position must be apparent to all but the most blinkered supporters of the General Synod rationale. It does nothing for the Anglican Church’s responsibility to bring light and clarity to challenging issues that confront the community.

The General Synod only succeeds in muddying the waters, dragging the chain, while putting local clergy bent on acting justly in an invidious position.

I attended a samesex marriage in a Methodist church several years ago, an occasion at least the equal of any other marriage I have officiated in 50 years of parish ministry. In celebrating their marriage the two loving men were affirmed and the church was honoured in the process.

Bishop Steven Benford adds to the confusion by refusing to divulge to your reporter where he stands personally on this conflicting issue.

To fob the issue off by saying we are all sinners, after all, is less than many might expect from a bishop of the church. There is often too high a price to be paid for bending over backwards to avoid potential division.

Kenneth Russell

St Kilda