The Anglican church in Wales will offer special blessings to same-sex married couples after a historic vote welcomed by campaigners for equality. The move puts the Welsh church at odds with the Church of England, which forbids clergy to bless same-sex marriages. It falls short of allowing same-sex marriages in church, and includes a “conscience Read more
Posts Tagged ‘same sex marriage’
Women priests: priest suspended, bishops scott free
Monday, September 21st, 2020
Being prepared to consider ordaining women – and saying so – has seen a priest continue to be suspended from ministry while more senior clergy are not even smacked on the wrist. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, recently admitted that he is “open” to the idea of ordaining women to the Catholic priesthood. “I am not Read more
Pacific Anglican church says no to blessing same-sex couples
Monday, May 21st, 2018
The Tikanga Pasifika, the Pacific arm of the Anglican Church, has opted not to support a resolution passed at the recent general synod of the Anglican communion allowing for the blessing of same-sex couples. The resolution affirms that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, but it allows for individual bishops to offer Read more
NZ Anglicans favourably disposed towards same-sex blessing
Monday, March 5th, 2018Christchurch city’s Diocesan Synod, Saturday, voted to support a proposal yesterday to bless same-sex marriages, following submissions both for and against the blessings. Bishop Victoria Matthews wished to assured gay people their voices had been heard. However, Auckland’s Rainbow Church is calling a move to bless same-sex marriage by Christchurch’s Anglican church a “pathetic, half-step Read more
Aussie same-sex marriage – debate yet to come
Thursday, November 16th, 2017
Australians’ “yes” vote supporting legalising same-sex marriage may pose more questions than answers. The non-binding referendum drew 7.8 million for same-sex marriage and 4.9 million against. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Denis Hart says parliament must work to unify Australians by respecting different views on marriage. “The Catholic Church, and many others who sought Read more
Fiji InterFaith group discuss same gender marriage
Tuesday, December 13th, 2016
A variety of opinions on the topic of same gender marriage were expressed at a meeting of InterFaith Search Fiji in Suva on Saturday. Speakers talked about ways of accepting members of the LGBITQ community. Reverend Anil Reuben of the Methodist Church said many people in same gender marriage had slowly dropped out of the Read more
Aust prelate stops MP’s speech at Catholic conference
Tuesday, February 16th, 2016
Melbourne’s archbishop has stopped a speech by an Australian MP at a Catholic conference because the speaker supports same-sex marriage. Archbishop Denis Hart intervened to cancel a planned keynote speech by MP Cathy McGowan at a Catholic Social Services Victoria conference this month. The reason given was that her views are contrary to Church teachings. Read more
Bainimarama’s comments on same sex marriage criminal
Friday, February 5th, 2016
Homosexual activist and attorney Aman Ravindra-Singh has accused Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama of breaking the law by the manner in which he responded to a suggestion the same sex marriage be legalised. Singh claims that the prime minister has violated section 26 of the Fiji constitution, and he should be charged under the criminal Read more
Same sex marriage a foreign concept in the Pacific
Friday, October 9th, 2015
The Archbishop of Suva Peter Loy Chong says it will be a long time before Pacific societies are ready to embrace the concept of same sex marriage. “With regards to same sex marriage over it is still, culturally not yet even accepting that.” “The culture and religion is strong here. It is going to, it Read more
Tonga’s Catholic Church opposes ratification of CEDAW
Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
Tonga’s Cardinal Mafi has written a letter giving the reasons the Catholic church does not support the Government’s decision to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of any form of Discrimination Against Women [CEDAW]. Mafi says all forms of discrimination against women are already clear enough in Tonga’s laws and are forbidden in Christian churches. He Read more