"I am in good health and enjoying my tenth decade," Professor Geering said.

"Through a long lifetime of publishing and lecturing, both within and outside of the St Andrew's Trust, Professor Geering has offered a view of religion that appeals to mature and questing people as well as being vitally necessary in a world that is becoming more politically fractured and environmentally fragile," said broadcaster and Trustee Noel Cheer. Continue reading

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