Last week a Mr Eugene Sisneros took the Anglican Bishop of Auckland to the tribunal claiming he was barred from becoming a priest because of his sexuality – a claim the bishop denied, saying he was simply following the church’s doctrines.
Mr Sisneros’ lawyer David Ryken yesterday told the tribunal’s three-member panel excluding someone from a training programme because of their sexuality breached Section 38 of the Human Rights Act.
However,Professor Paul Rishworth representing the Anglican Church argued that organised religions were exempt under Section 39 of the act.
The Commission has reserved its decision.