Real people discussing real issues
Warden
The Rev Malcolm Falloon
Admin Secretary
Hillary Carley
Chair
The Rev Dale Oldham
Executive
The Rev Wally Behan
The Rev Philip Lyes
Martin Paltridge
Joanne James
President
The Rev Dr Bob Robinson
Vice Presidents
Bishop Brian Carrell
Bishop Henry Paltridge
The Rev Michael Lawrence
The Rev Tim Meadowcroft
Charlotte Rivers
The Rev Dr Peter Carrell
Press and media resources page
- Letter of concern to the three co-presiding Archbishops
- Response from the three co-presiding Archbishops
- A statement from the Bishop, and the Diocesan Council, of Dunedin
- A letter from Latimer to the Bishop of Dunedin
- Constituional basis for objecting to ordination of people in same-sex relationship
- Press release: Anglican church may be split
- Statement of protest
Letter of concern to the three co-presiding Archbishops from Executive of the Latimer Fellowship and Anglican Mainstream NZ
To the three co-presiding Archbishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
October 23, 2006
Dear Archbishops,
We bring to your attention, on behalf of our respective memberships, a matter of deep concern that we believe has serious implications for the well being of our church in New Zealand.
We are reliably informed that the Bishop of Dunedin, the Rt Revd George Connor, intends to ordain Juan Kinnear to the Diaconate on 4th November 2006 even though the Bishop is fully aware that Mr Kinnear is in a same-sex relationship.
If this is correct, then the Bishop is clearly taking unilateral action that contravenes the Lambeth Resolution 1.10. Such a step would also jeopardise the careful process of restraint and respect that has been set out for the Anglican Communion under the Windsor Report (2004) and the Primates Statement from Dromantine (2005). Therefore the Bishop of Dunedin is, in effect, choosing to ‘walk apart’ from not only the rest of the New Zealand Anglican Church, but also from the majority of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
We consider the proposed ordination to be highly inappropriate, ill-considered and provocative.
- It is inappropriate, for while many divisions on this issue remain unresolved, this action will hinder rather than help our common life.
- It is ill-considered, for any ordination deserves the recognition and respect of the whole church and not just within the diocese in which it takes place. This proposed ordination is unlikely to achieve this.
- It is provocative, for it throws out a challenge to all those who feel deeply that such ordinations are wrong and prematurely shuts down important conversations at the very time when our recent General Synod has called for more careful listening.
We therefore respectfully ask you, as our Archbishops, to urge the Bishop of Dunedin not to proceed with this ordination and to allow an opportunity for the House of Bishops to establish a common policy on this matter for the good ordering of our church.
It saddens us that we are placed in the position of writing such a letter as this and there is a very short time frame before this ordination is due to occur. However, knowing that such an action will harm the church in New Zealand and hurt fellow Anglicans all over the world, we will, if this ordination is allowed to proceed, be compelled to appeal to the wider Anglican Communion for help in this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Revd Malcolm Falloon (Latimer Warden)
Revd Andrew Allan-Johns (Anglican Mainstream NZ)
Letter of response from the Archbisops to Latimer and Mainstream
The Co-presiding Bishops
The Bishop of Aotearoa
The Senior Bishop of the New Zealand Dioceses
The Bishop of Polynesia
Latimer Fellowship of New Zealand
October 30, 2006
Dear Malcolm and Andrew
Thank you for your letter we received on Friday, October 27, 2006.
We respond to your letter following a conference call of all the Bishops on Friday.
Over the last two years there have been in-depth discussions between Bishops about the combined effect of the Lambeth Resolutions and the Windsor Report for our own Episcopal practice in this Church in all its diversity.
The Bishops are continuing to engage deeply with each other over their interpretations of the Reports in the light of our present context. We continue to take the issues involved very seriously as well as their consequences.
We are all ultimately accountable to our General Synod and the Three Houses and Three-Tikanga of that Synod. The General Synod has called for on-going dialogue which is as yet unfinished as we share in the international dialogue invited by the Anglican Instruments of Unity.
Cross-Tikanga dialogue is still at an early stage but is beginning to deepen and intensity. In this dialogue the Co-presiding Bishops believe that in the name of the world-wide prayerful study and listening, mutual respect, and restraint in all these areas is being asked for within the Anglican Communion. We are part of processes that are proceeding with great delicacy and care, by Bible study, by listening and by robust dialogue, as the Lambeth Resolutions and the Windsor Report asks us to do.
We continue to invite deep and prayerful weighing of these questions in this Church.
In deep prayer at this time.
Yours in Christ
Co-presiding Bishops
+Jabez Bryce
+Brown Turei
+David Moxon
A statement from Bishop George Connor, Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, and the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Dunedin.
On Saturday November 4 the Bishop of Dunedin, The Rt Rev George Connor, will ordain three deacons, one of whom is in a committed same sex relationship.
The Bishop and the Diocesan Council are satisfied that this ordination is consistent with the rules of our church and with the past practice of this diocese.
They are aware that divergent views are held in the church about such ordinations, and that people of good will and deeply reasoned faith stand on both sides of the argument.
It is in the nature of our sexuality that it evokes deep responses, linked to our sense of identity, and those responses can be polarising: Issues of human sexuality are currently a matter of debate in the world wide Anglican Communion and in this country and diocese.
Bishop Connor and the Dunedin Diocesan Council rejoice at the beginning of these new ministries and pray that the new deacons be supported in their ministry.
They also acknowledge the pain of those who cannot agree with this decision and commit themselves to listening and dialogue and further exploration of the issues.
Rresponse from Latimer to the Bisohp of Dunedin
November 3, 2006
Dear Bishop George,
I urgently ask you to reconsider your actions in the light of the Statement of your own Diocesan Council. For they plainly state that they are aware of divergent views about same-sex ordinations, yet say they are satisfied that this ordination is consistent with the rules of our church.
Forgive me for being blunt, but since when does a Diocesan Council make decision for the the whole church? Especially when they themselves admit that there are differing views in our Church. Even if you take one particular view on what is permitted, you must wait until proper constitutional process has taken place. To not uphold the discipline and due process as given in our constitution places you in breach of the very canons you are claiming as the basis of proceeding with the ordination.
If it is so clear that same-sex relationships can be blessed and that persons in such relationships can be ordained, why has our General Synod not passed a resolution declaring this to be the case? Why has so much distressed been caused in our church over something that is meant to be plain? The facts are that, at the very least, this has not been tested against our canons and therefore all such ordinations must wait until that process has taken place. In this regard, it is a simple matter of justice for those who disagree with you.
For it places our Archbishops and the house of Bishops in a extremely difficult position. Do they share your view concerning same-sex blessings? If so, why are they unable to say so publicly? If they take different views on the matter (as appears to be the case), then you must postpone the ordination until there is agreement as to what our constitution does and does not permit. Due process is just as much a part of our constitution as the rules themselves.
It also places me and others who share my views in a difficult position. For under Title D we are required to exercise a duty of collaboration with their colleaguesin this Church
. Since our church has not yet finished its process of discernment on this matter, how can we in good conscience maintain such a duty?
The same paragraph (Canon 1, Part A, paragraph 3) also requires that all ordained ministers have a public duty of ensuring the regulations and Canons of this Church are complied with
. Therefore, for this ordination to proceed, it will not only disregard the views of a large section of our church but will also precipitate a constitutional crisis for which there has been no precedence (as claimed by your Diocesan Council).
Ordinations are for the whole church and so it is wrong for the particular opinion of any one Bishop and Diocesan Council to circumvent a process that should involve us all.
Yours sincerely
Malcolm Falloon
(Latimer Warden)
Constitutional Basis for objecting to the Ordination of Persons in same-sex relationships
By Revd Malcolm Falloon
(Warden of the Latimer Fellowship of NZ)
-
Bishops of our church are bound by the Constitution of our Church. Bishops are also the
primary guardians
; of discipline in the church (Title D, Canon 1, Part C, paragraph 1). That is, they have a public and private duty to enforce the section of our Canons known as Title D,Of Standards
. -
It is an important principle of our Canons that the suitability of a ordination candidate depends not only on their ability to perform the role of an ordained Minister but also on
appropriate standards of behaviour É in relationships and in personal life.
(Title D, Canon 1, Part A, Paragraph 2). It is thesestandards
for sexual relationships that are then further explained in the Canon under Part A, paragraph 10.4 and sub-paragraphs. -
The full paragraph is as follows:
10.4 CHASTITY: Chastity is the right ordering of sexual relationships. 10.4.1 Ministers are to be chaste. Promiscuity is incompatible with chastity. 10.4.2 The sexual abuse of children is an utter disregard of humanity and a complete repudiation of the teaching of Christ.
-
So a Minister must be
chaste
which is defined asthe right ordering of sexual relationships
. -
The objection is that a person in a same-sex relationship is not in a sexual relationship that this church has ever declared to be
ordered
and thus his personal life fails to meet theappropriate standards
needed for ordained Ministry as set out under Title D, Part A, Paragraph 2. - The ordination of a person in a same-sex relationship implies that our Church already orders (i.e. blesses) same-sex relationships. Which it does not. Therefore he is in an unordered relationship that disqualifies him from being a suitable candidate for ordination.
-
This objection is further reinforced by the general principle of Title D, Canon 1, Part A, Paragraph 1, where it is recognised that ordained Ministers
exercise a representative Ministry and are expected to lead an exemplary way of life.
Consequently, given the controversial status of same-sex relationships in our church (and indeed Communion wide) such relationships cannot be consideredexemplary
. It should also be noted that, even if a Bishop personally views such relationships in a favourable light, to proceed with an ordination that will knowingly cause scandal to many sections of the church, must still be considered a breach of this paragraph of Title D. - This Canon should not be considered discriminatory, for it also applies to heterosexual persons in de facto relationships and civil unions. As I understand it, no bishop will ordain people in these categories (for good reason), and so the same should apply to those in same-sex relationships.
-
In establishing whether a same-sex relationship exists, it is not generally necessary for a Bishop to ask intrusive questions. For under the Property (Relationships) Act, the Law Courts use a number of criteria for establishing the "fact" of de facto relationships (which includes same-sex relationships). These criteria can helpfully be used by bishops as a minimum standard on which to base their decisions. The Family Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society′s website gives a helpful summary.
A de facto relationship begins when both parties are over 18 years and they are living together as a couple. In determining whether two persons live together as a couple, a number of factors are taken into account, including: the duration of the relationship; whether they live in the one house; whether they have a sexual relationship; the degree of financial dependence or interdependence; the ownership, use and acquisition of the property; the degree of mutual commitment to a shared life; the care and support of children; the performance of household duties; the reputation and public aspects of the relationship. It is therefore possible that two persons could live together for a period of time before their relationship would be deemed to be a de facto relationship in terms of the Act. It is also possible that a couple could maintain two separate residences yet because of their financial interdependence, the presence of children, and the way they hold themselves out as a couple, they could be regarded as being in a de facto relationship. The issue of whether a relationship is a de facto relationship in terms of the Act and the date that it began will be questions of fact for the Court.
- It is my submission that it would be a breach of the Church′s Canons for a Bishop to proceed with the ordination of a candidate who, in all likelihood, would be found to be in a same-sex de facto relationship under the terms of the Act. This, of course, is a minimum standard for the church, with a higher standard being expected of those who are to be ordained given the exemplary nature of their office.
-
It is commonly supposed that our Church has made no ruling as to the status of homosexual relationships and to maintain that Bishops are free to follow precedence and/or discretion in these matters. However, a Bishop would be wrong to do so, for the Canons are in fact quite clear. The interpretation of the Canons are based not on precedent or the opinion of a bishop but on the Church′s Constitution, and in particular the
Formularies
of the Church as contained in theFundamental Provisions
(page iii (a)) -
Clause 1 of The Fundamental Provisions states:
This Branch of the United Church of England and Ireland in New Zealand doth hold and maintain the Doctrine and Sacraments of CHRIST as the LORD hath commanded in His Holy Word, and as the United Church of England and Ireland hath received and explained the same in the Book of Common Prayer, …
-
So along with the Scriptures themselves, the doctrine of our church (including
the right ordering of sexual relationships
) is determined by how our churchhath received and explained the same
in the Book of Common Prayer (1662). -
The Revd Max Scott (Vicar of Hillsborough in the Auckland Diocese) makes the following case from the BCP.
The section to be found in the Book of Common Prayer that explains the doctrine of the Christ in regards to human sexuality is to be found in the opening statements of the
The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony
and particularly in the words concerningthe causes for which Matrimony was ordained
—
This was reworded in the 1928 Revision of the Service [also part of theIt was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.
Formularies
as defined in the Appendix to Title G] to read:
It is clear from these that aIt was ordained in order that the natural instincts and affections, implanted by God should be hallowed and directed aright; that those who are called to this holy estate, should continue therein in pureness of living.Ó This revision was not intended to produce a change in doctrine, but rather to present the second cause for matrimony in more positive terms without changing its meaning.
cause
for marriage is to provide that context in which sexual relationships may be rightly ordered. Sexual relationships outside of thisright ordering
are thus contrary to the Title D, Canon 10.4. This would include homosexual relationships. It is in this context that about 15 years ago the Bishops stated that those who are engaged in sexual relationships outside of marriage may not hold the Bishop′s license. In our Province, the ordination of a person who is a sexual relationship outside of marriage would place that person, by virtue of ordination, in breach of Title D, Canon 10.4.1. For a Bishop to do this would be for that Bishop to act irresponsibly. If the Bishop persisted in this action, it could be construed that that Bishop no longer felt bound by the Doctrine of the Province and thus is himself to come under the church′s discipline. -
This is the received tradition of our Church. This tradition cannot be altered by indiscreet and/or irregular ordinations by previous Bishops, but only by a
specific proposal
enacted by General Synod under Part B, Clause 6 of the Constitution. No such proposal has ever been passed by our General Synod, nor is it likely that such a proposal could ever be successful as it would clearlydepart from the Doctrine and Sacraments of Christ as defined in the Fundamental Provisions of this Constitution
(Part B, clause 5) of which the Book of Common Prayer (1662) is an integral part.
Press Release: Friday 2 November 2006
Thursday, 2 November 2006: Leading Anglicans said today that the ordination of a 'practising homosexual' in Dunedin this Saturday could split the Church in New Zealand and the Anglican Communion.
(Click for contact information.)
The Latimer Fellowship and Anglican Mainstream NZ have written a letter to the three Archbishops of the New Zealand Church appealing to them to stop or postpone the ordination of a man who is understood to be in an 18-year same-sex relationship. The Bishop of Dunedin, the Rt Revd George Connor, has announced his intention to ordain him in Dunedin on Saturday 4th November.
The Latimer spokesperson, the Revd Malcolm Falloon, said "Archbishop David Moxon recently called for up to seven years of careful listening and conversation. The Bishop of Dunedin appears to have given him less than seven weeks!"
"We believe that this ordination should be at least postponed until after proper consultation and debate has been conducted on what is certainly a deeply divisive issue," said the Revd Max Scott, Chairman of Anglican Mainstream NZ and Vicar of a parish in the Auckland Diocese.
The view expressed in the letter was that, if this ordination proceeds, it would not only breach the Constitution and Canons of the Church but fly in the face of the calls for restraint on this issue from the wider Communion and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In a separate letter the Vicar's of New Zealand's 10 largest Anglican Churches have also expressed their own protest at the proposed ordination.
As yet, the Archbishops and the house of Bishops have been unable to give a clear response to the letters, though Latimer and Mainstream were assured that on-going discussions are being held with the Dunedin Bishop.
The background to this controversy is a series of moves by Anglicans in America and Canada to act unilaterally on same-sex blessings and the ordination of candidates in same-sex relationships, despite repeated warnings from the rest of the Anglican Communion that this could lead to a split. Similar unilateral actions by New Zealand Bishops will only heighten this crisis.
Due to the inadequate response from the New Zealand Bishops, the Latimer Fellowship and Mainstream have been compelled to write to the Archbishop of Canterbury and other bishops throughout the Anglican Communion requesting their assistance.
"We want them to know that the actions of one bishop in New Zealand do not have the support or agreement of all the New Zealand Anglican Church" said Rosemary Behan, an Anglican lay member of the General Synod and a member of the Latimer Fellowship. "We are requesting the Archbishop of Canterbury's help and intervention so that the Anglican Church in New Zealand do not offend their brothers and sisters in Christ, throughout the world." she said.
The Latimer Fellowship is a 60-year-old society of Evangelical Christians within the Anglican Church who seek to maintain the authority of the Bible in the church's life. Website: www.latimer.org.nz
Anglican Mainstream NZ is a network of faithful Anglicans advocating for orthodox faith, promoting biblical values and building a strong church. Website: www.anglican-mainstream.co.nz
Contacts
Revd Malcolm Falloon
Latimer Fellowship of NZ
phone: +64 3 351 4931
email: mal.falloon@xtra.co.nz
website: www.latimer.org.nz
Revd Max Scott
Anglican Mainstream NZ
phone: +64 9 625 8808
email: max@stmargarets.org.nz
website: www.anglican-mainstream.org.nz
Mrs Rosemary Behan
Laywomen, Christchurch Diocese
phone: +64 3 379 9839
www.stjohnschch.org.nz
Statement of Protest
We have publicly expressed our protest at the actions of the Bishop of Dunedin in ordaining a man in a same-sex relationship for the following reasons.
1. It ignores the clear teaching of the Bible on matters of human sexuality. We cannot call holy what the Bible does not call holy, nor can we bless behaviour that does not belong in the kingdom of God.
2. It disregards 2000 years of the Christian understanding of the Bible on which the Anglican Church is founded. The church from the very first days has insisted on either marriage or celibacy for its ordained ministers, and the Anglican Church has always affirmed this.
3. It violates the rules of our Church and denies those who disagree with the Bishop the right to a fair hearing and due process. The Bishop of Dunedin is not authorised or free to apply the rules of the Church merely subject to his own opinions.
4. It dismisses the call for a "moratorium" on such actions from the leaders of the Anglican Church worldwide and deepens the current crisis that is in the words of the Communion's Archbishops "tearing the fabric" of the Anglican Communion.
5. It completely undermines the process of careful listening and conversation that the General Synod and our Archbishops have requested by unilaterally acting in a way that effectively shuts down all debate.
Therefore we appeal to the Archbishops of this church and the whole House of Bishops, as "guardians" of the Church's discipline, to break their silence. As Bishops called to "promote peace and unity among all God's people", we ask them to "keep the Church true to its faith" by publicly dissenting from the Bishop of Dunedin's actions. For not to do so will give tacit approval to the Bishop's actions and will precipitate a constitutional crisis in our Church.
Revd Malcolm Falloon
Warden of the Latimer Fellowship
Vicar of Bryndwr, Christchurch
Phone: 03 351 4931
Email: mal.falloon@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.latimer.org.nz
Statement of Protest
We have publicly expressed our protest at the actions of the Bishop of Dunedin in ordaining a man in a same-sex relationship for the following reasons.
1. It ignores the clear teaching of the Bible on matters of human sexuality. We cannot call holy what the Bible does not call holy, nor can we bless behaviour that does not belong in the kingdom of God.
2. It disregards 2000 years of the Christian understanding of the Bible on which the Anglican Church is founded. The church from the very first days has insisted on either marriage or celibacy for its ordained ministers, and the Anglican Church has always affirmed this.
3. It violates the rules of our Church and denies those who disagree with the Bishop the right to a fair hearing and due process. The Bishop of Dunedin is not authorised or free to apply the rules of the Church merely subject to his own opinions.
4. It dismisses the call for a "moratorium" on such actions from the leaders of the Anglican Church worldwide and deepens the current crisis that is in the words of the Communion's Archbishops "tearing the fabric" of the Anglican Communion.
5. It completely undermines the process of careful listening and conversation that the General Synod and our Archbishops have requested by unilaterally acting in a way that effectively shuts down all debate.
Therefore we appeal to the Archbishops of this church and the whole House of Bishops, as "guardians" of the Church's discipline, to break their silence. As Bishops called to "promote peace and unity among all God's people", we ask them to "keep the Church true to its faith" by publicly dissenting from the Bishop of Dunedin's actions. For not to do so will give tacit approval to the Bishop's actions and will precipitate a constitutional crisis in our Church.
Revd Malcolm Falloon
Warden of the Latimer Fellowship
Vicar of Bryndwr, Christchurch
Phone: 03 351 4931
Email: mal.falloon@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.latimer.org.nz