Labour MP Louisa Wall's Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, allowing same-sex couples to marry, has passed its third reading and final vote in Parliament.

In front of a packed public gallery 77 MPs voted in favour, and 44 voted against the bill.

Speaking before the final reading of the marriage bill, John Dew, the Catholic Archbishop of Wellington, and the President of the NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference, said that for him it was important to express the church's view that marriage should be between one man and one woman for the purposes of procreation.

Dew distanced himself from the more extreme and offensive lobbying that took place in the days leading up to the final passage of the marriage bill.

He said he had wanted a robust, vigorous and respectful debate.

"We certainly don't espouse to any extremist views," he said.

"From our point of view we do believe that there has been a respectful listening to each other."

Dew said he would have liked more time for the full implications of the move to be considered because "some people would think if it's legal it's moral."

After the marriage bill was passed the New Zealand Catholic Bishops expressed their deep sadness that, despite the fact that such a large percentage of the public are opposed to it, the marriage bill had become law.

Archbishop Dew said, "We find it bizarre that what has been discarded is an understanding of marriage that has its origin in human nature and common to every culture, and that almost all references to husband and wife will be removed from legislation referencing marriage. We know many New Zealanders stand with us in this."

"Marriage is the essential human institution that predates religion and state. It is a committed union between a man and a woman which has a natural orientation towards the procreation of new human life," Dew said.

"Marriage is founded on sexual difference and the traditional definition of marriage reflects this unique reality."

"This uniqueness requires a name and definition which distinguishes marriage from any other form of relationship," he said.

He concluded by saying "We've been assured that our religious freedom to teach and practice marriage according to our religious beliefs is protected and we will continue to ensure that this freedom is upheld."

Before the debate, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said the law change was harmless but he would not be supporting the bill, as he did not think it was the benchmark for equality.

"It does seem a bit odd that an institution that is becoming much less used and much less popular has now become the benchmark for equal treatment of people.

"People can have equal treatment (if) they get registered by the state with their relationship; we've got plenty of room for a range of arrangements."

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• TVNZ NEWS
• Radio New Zealand
• New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference
• Image: Stuff.co.nz

But Professor Rex Ahdar, from the Law Faculty of Otago University, says a flaw still remains in the most recent version of the Bill, despite the Select Committee's hope that the conscience clause that has been inserted would provide the necessary clarity that the Ministry of Justice and Crown Law advisers sought.

The Definition of Marriage (Amendment) Bill passed the second reading stage in New Zealand's parliament on Thursday 14 March. In this version of the Bill:

Section 29 amended (Licence authorizes but not obliges marriage celebrant to solemnize marriage)

In section 29, insert as subsection (2):

"Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), no celebrant who is a minister of religion recognised by a religious body enumerated in Schedule 1, and no celebrant who is a person nominated to solemnize marriages by an approved organisation, is obliged to solemnize a marriage if solemnizing that marriage would contravene the religious beliefs of the religious body or the religious beliefs or philosophical or humanitarian convictions of the approved organisation."

However Ahdar said the exemption is not worded widely enough.

"First, marriage celebrants who are independent and not members of any religious body or any approved organization are probably not protected. Second, and perhaps even more importantly, ministers of religion of existing religious bodies may not be protected either. How so? A religious minister whose denomination is divided on the issue of gay marriage may not be able to point to any authoritative ruling, precept, custom or teaching of his or her denomination that clearly states that only heterosexual marriage is right and acceptable."

Source

• Pundit.co.nz
• noliinsipientiuminiuriaspati.blogspot.co.nz

The Government Administration Committee said the private member's bill should progress, but with an amendment to make it clear that no minister was obliged to marry someone against their own beliefs.

New Zealand's Catholic Bishops say they have not yet had the opportunity to study the full report in detail, however they are disappointed that the Select Committee has approved the bill.

The Bishops welcome the Select Committee's recommendation that an amendment to the Bill be included that clarifies beyond doubt the understanding that celebrants who are ministers of religion are not obliged to perform marriage ceremonies for same sex couples if it contravenes their religion.

Ahead of the Second Reading vote the Bishops have asked MPs to consider carefully the magnitude of social change that is before them.

A poll of New Zealanders has found that 47% believe that Parliament should change the definition of marriage, and 43% believe that civil unions are sufficient for same sex couples.

The poll of 1000 people was carried ut by blogger David Farrar's Curia Research.

The poll also found strong support for laws protecting celebrants, churches and schools if the law is still pushed through. Almost half of NZ'ers believe there should be a Referendum on the issue.

In the poll respondents were asked "In 2004, Parliament legislated to allow same sex couples to register a civil union, amending over 150 pieces of legislation to give legal rights and recognition to same-sex couples. Do you think Parliament should change the definition of marriage to allow same-sex couples to marry, or do you think civil unions are sufficient for same sex couples?"

Source

• NZCBC
• New Zealand Herald
• Scoop
• New Zealand Herald
• Image: 3News.co.nz

Archbishop John Dew, Bishop Colin Campbell and Mrs Sue Devereux, representing the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, made a verbal submission on the marriage bill at a hearing at Parliament and spoke to the Bishops' written Submission which was released at the same time.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to speak to our written Submission, and outline our concerns to you in person," Archbishop John Dew told the Committee.

"The Catholic Church has always taught and promoted that marriage between a man and a woman is the foundation of the family unit," Archbishop Dew said.

"Sexual difference affects all aspects of human existence - biologically, psychologically, genetically and socially, marriage is founded on sexual difference and the traditional definition of marriage reflects this unique reality," Sue Devereux said.

"The opposites of male and female trying to find unity is what marriage is all about. It is what can be called the dance of marriage, as two very different people, different in their sexuality psychologically and physically connect in a unique way,"

"This uniqueness requires a name and definition which distinguishes marriage from any other form of relationship," Bishop Colin Campbell said.

Archbishop Dew also raised with the Committee the Bishops' concerns over protections for religious freedom and autonomy should this Bill pass into law.

"While we welcome public statements by the Bill's author Louisa Wall that religious communities will not be required to conduct same-sex marriages or be limited in what they teach about marriage from the pulpit, we ask that these sentiments are clearly and specifically included in the Bill to remove any doubt should the Bill become law,"

Archbishop John Dew is President of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference and Bishop of Wellington Archdiocese, Bishop Colin Campbell is Vice-President of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference and Bishop of Dunedin Diocese, Sue Devereux is the Pastoral Services Advisor for Family Ministry for the Wellington Archdiocese.

Source

• New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference
• New Zealand Listener

Senior minister at St Andrew's on the Terrace, Margaret Mayman, said it would be part of a small minority of churches doing so.

The Presbyterian General Assembly in New Zealand opposes a bill before Parliament which seeks to legalise same gender marriage but the Presbyterian Church allows individual churches to choose their own stance.

Church moderator the Right Rev Ray Coster said the assembly's decision was made last week to uphold the "historic Christian" understanding that "marriage is a faithful, loving union between a man and woman". A small number had registered their dissent.

"Registering dissent is an accepted part of Presbyterian process, and is part of our tradition of open and robust debate," he said.

A same gender marriage bill passed its first reading in the New Zealand Parliament last month. It must pass two more stages before it becomes law.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• St Andrews on the Terrace
• Image: St Andrews on the Terrace

The Board of Trustees issued a statement to the college community which said: "The Pompallier Catholic College Board of Trustees advises the school community that Nigel Studdart will not be returning to the College as a teacher. We wish him well for the future."

The chief executive of the New Zealand Catholic Education Board, Pat Lynch, said he would not make comment about this particular case.

"More broadly, Catholic preaching on same sex marriage is part of the church's moral preaching so if you take up employment in a Catholic School you're obliged to support the religious and moral preachings because that's what the school stands for, whether you believe in it or not."

Sometimes employees had to agree to disagree if they wanted to keep their job, he said.

The teachers' union, the PPTA, also said it was not its policy to comment on individual cases.

"It's complicated when teachers take up jobs at schools with special character because it does involve a certain amount of commitment to the principles of that special character - provided they do not breach human rights or provisions under the employment relations act - and there can be tension in the way that operates," PPTA president Robin Duff said.

Blair Scotland, a senior associate of law firm Chen Palmer specialising in employment matters, said an employer would have trouble justifying drastic action like dismissing someone when it was about a fundamental human right.

"How the employer justifies its actions is going to be key. It's going to be very difficult for an employer to say 'this employee's belief ... I don't agree with and therefore I'm going to impose my views and I'm going to sack this person because of the particular views'," he said.

Source

• The New Zealand Herald
• Radio New Zealand
• Image: Twitter

Father Neil Vaney, an Auckland Roman Catholic moral theologian, said the secular media and various people were "pushing" the same sex issue. He said the Church should "show great compassion" to people from whom it had differing views.

"It is important the Church does not come across as homophobic or as being anti-gay. It is also important that Christians stay humble," said Fr Vaney.

"Several leaders said anti-gay-type comments would not alter what seemed inevitable — so was it worth getting offside with those the Church should be reaching out to?" he asked.

Fr Vaney noted that it was "ironic that after so much rhetoric to create the legal category of civil union, with its avowedly secular repudiation of all religious tradition, that the homosexual lobby should be fighting so hard to reclaim the label of marriage for their unions".

"Perhaps it is the aura of stability, commitment and lasting community that they are pining after - if so, all to the good…" he said.

A number of other ministry and church leaders believe a cautious approach to same-sex marriage is needed so as not to alienate those outside the church.

The church's main role, they point out, is to proclaim the Gospel and bring people to salvation and faith in Jesus and not get sidetracked. Many of them who did not want to make a public comment said Jesus came alongside people and sought to form friendships rather than judge a person from a distance.

Read other Church Leaders' opinions

Source

• Challenge Weekly
• Image: Eucharistic Congress Convention 2005

Almost all the major Christian denominations have vowed not to officiate for gay marriage, as have most other religious groups.

The same-sex marriage bill passed its first reading in Parliament this week and must now pass two more readings before it can become law.

But Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists and many other smaller denominations have already joined Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Orthodox Jews in prohibiting gay marriages on their turf.

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Gerry Brownlee is among the MPs ONE News spoke to who are not guaranteeing their support for the controversial Bill, despite helping it pass its first hurdle in Parliament.

"I think there will be a number of issues that might come out of any change that might result from the Bill going to a select committee that should be widely discussed."

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The bitter stand-off was prompted by comments from Pompellier College principal Richard Stanton in the school newsletter in which he lays out his objections to gay marriage under the heading "keeping marriage sacred."

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"To propose any alternative definition will have implications in law, and in society, but also for education and the family structure which throughout history has been seen as the fundamental unit in every society, says Archbishop Dew, the Chairman of the The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC)

Full Text of Bishops' Statement

The Catholic Bishops have voiced their concerns over fundamentally changing the family structure on which our society is built and are disappointed that MPs have voted the Bill through this first stage.

The Bishops had appealed to MPs to keep marriage as defined between a man and a woman. Other legal avenues exist for same sex couples to publicly declare their love and lifelong commitment to each other. The Bishops will continue to voice their concerns through a submission on the Bill.

"The Catholic Church affirms love, fidelity and commitment in all relationships, but believes that marriage should be defined as being between a man and a woman", says Archbishop John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

"To propose any alternative definition will have implications in law, and in society, but also for education and the family structure which throughout history has been seen as the fundamental unit in every society", says Archbishop Dew.

"Society doesn't have the right to deprive a child of both its father and mother, both equally significant in their upbringing. We're concerned about children growing up without one or both parents as part of the primary parenting partnership. We also understand that as humans we have a real need to get to know both of our biological parents.

"While there are families which include single parents and same sex couples raising children there is a question to be asked about whether we want to legislate for a new norm for the family unit", he says.

Source

• The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
• Image: articlewn.com

To support his contention McCoskrie sites the following facts:

• Canada: A court has ruled that marriage officials must marry homosexuals.
• USA: The army is threatening to court-martial Chaplains for ‘religious, conscience' objection to homosexuality. A New Jersey judge ruled against a Christian retreat house that refused to allow a same-sex civil union ceremony to be conducted on its premises, ruling the Constitution allows ‘some intrusion into religious freedom to balance other important societal goals. A proposed Kansas law would force churches to host same-sex ‘weddings,' receptions.
• UK: A Christian marriage conference was banned for their opposition to gay marriage. A Tory MP has called for churches to be banned from holding marriages if they refuse gay couples.
• The Netherlands: MPs voted for a change in the law to prevent civil servants refusing to conduct gay marriages.
• Sweden: Anyone challenging the homosexualist agenda in public in Sweden can be sent to prison, and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that this does not constitute any violation of rights.
• Wales is moving against Catholic schools that are organizing students to protest a new government plan to back gay marriage in that country

Labour's MP for Mangere Su'a William Sio says he will be voting against the The definition of Marriage bill because there is widespread opposition within his electorate which has the highest population of Pacific Islanders in New Zealand, making up 58.8 per cent of voters.

Some ministers in Pacific churches were preaching against the bill and against Labour.

"This issue cuts deep into fundamental beliefs," he told Radio New Zealand. "It will divide the community."

"I feel somewhat betrayed by raising issues such as this when there are more prominent, more weightier issues such as jobs and income and putting food on the table and paying for the bills."

An online petition opposing the legalisation of same-sex marriage has been signed by nearly 20,000 people in its first week.

Source

• Morning Report 8 August
• Scoop
• Stuff.co.nz
• New Zealand Herald
• Image: Google Images

"The law can't force a church to host anyone's wedding. And that won't change," she says.

"What will change is that loving couples, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or gender, will be free to marry.

"My Bill preserves the right of churches to decide who can marry in their church in the same way it preserves the right of a marriage celebrant or minister to decline to solemnise a marriage of a couple.

"The Bill is about fairness and choice. How and where people marry is not the issue."

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