Church poll backs same sex unions

The Anglican church has inched towards sexual equality after members in Canterbury backed a proposal that could pave the way for the blessing of same-sex marriages.

Clergy and laity from its Christchurch diocese voted this weekend to approve a motion urging their leadership to push for the proposal when it is debated on a national level later this year.

The issue is enormously divisive and risks creating a major rift between traditionalist and progressive church members.

But at a meeting of the Christchurch diocese in Avonhead on Saturday, the regional council chose to back the proposal.

An emotionally-charged debate saw views put forward from all sides, from those who felt the Anglican church was stuck in Victorian times for not moving faster towards equality, to others who believed that such a move could compromise its theological integrity.

The vote was narrowly passed, 107 to 71 after a secret ballot.

Bridie Boyd, who is an advocate for the LGBTQI community, said the decision was a great relief and pleasant surprise.

‘‘We are aware this is just a step in a longer journey but we hope to have a similar result in the upcoming general synod,’’ added the 23-year-old.

‘‘It’s a fantastic indication to the community of where the Christchurch diocese is at and how unified we can be.’’

But Reverend Mark Hood, vicar at St Christopher’s, said the result was ‘‘disappointing’’ and he would redouble his efforts to persuade people differently.

‘‘I see us going in a different direction away from how I see the Bible teaching us.’’

The vote means that the diocese is backing recommendations that would allow same-sex relationships to be blessed in its churches.

Bishop Victoria Matthews said it did not mean the church yet approved the blessing of same-gender unions in that diocese but offered a unified way forward for people with differing beliefs.

She said the vote was a major surprise as she had expected it to be defeated.

‘‘It tells me people listen carefully but also are part of a much larger conversation out in the community and are very aware of what is happening about this topic in New Zealand,’’ the bishop said.

But Matthews cautioned that this move was only ‘‘taking the temperature’’ of opinion in the Christchurch diocese.

There would now be a ‘‘very interesting conversation’’ for its seven members before they voted in May when the church’s national governing body addressed the issue.

If carried, the proposal will allow blessing ceremonies to be held for same-sex couples who have been married elsewhere or are in committed relationships.

It will also give each diocese’s bishop and clergy immunity from complaint if they refused to conduct blessings for these couples.

In 2014, the New Zealand Anglican church defined marriage as being ‘‘between a man and a woman’’, forbidding same-sex couples to marry in any of its churches.

"I see us going in a different direction away from how I see the Bible teaching us." Reverend Mark Hood