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
The Church of England will not conduct same-sex weddings, but have special prayers for gay couples after they marry and Church of England priests in same-sex relationships or civil unions will not be allowed to marry. These guidelines are contained in a new “pastoral guidances” statement from the Church of England’s “House of Bishops”. The guidelines Read more
As the number of same-sex marriages continues to flourish following last year’s law reform, only a handful of couples are opting for the other legally recognised form of partnership, civil unions. But one of those responsible for legalising civil unions in 2005, Labour Party general secretary Tim Barnett, believes they still have an important place Read more
The Anglican Church in New Zealand says its decision on whether to bless same-sex marriages is unlikely to be affected by a Church of England report. The British report has recommended the Church lift its ban, but not force individual clergy to offer public services. A commission set up by New Zealand’s Anglican Church to Read more
Powershop, a state owned enterprise, has entered the political arena by erecting a number of four-and-half-storey high billboards which suggest the Catholic Church is an example of how “large institutions can sometimes lose touch with their modern constituents.” The Pope is used as a symbol of “crusty utilities, many of whom remain resistant to the Read more