But it still won't marry homosexual couples in church.

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia's vote lets ministers bless gay couples in same-sex civil marriages or civil unions.

The vote happened at the church's biannual synod in New Plymouth this week.

The vote lets bishops either grant or deny priests in their diocese permission to bless gay couples in committed relationships.

In New Zealand, the Anglican Church comprises three wings: Maori, Polynesian and Pakeha.

The three wings have debated the issue for 50 years.

Polynesians reject gay relationships

The Polynesian group opposed the motion to allow Anglicans' blessing of same-sex relationships.

It says Pacific islands will never accept it and abstained from voting.

It abstained so that it wouldn't restrict the Pakeha and Maori wings.

The motion passed finally by a large margin.

To allow Polynesian and other conservative churches to opt out of the changes, they will not form part of official liturgy.

Instead there are no written blessings. Ministers will deliver them informally.

Despite the compromise, two prominent conservatives resigned their posts.

Rev Jay Behan, a member of the ruling synod and Rev Al Drye both quit after the vote passed..

They said, "We leave with no anger or bitterness in our hearts and we wish you the best as you seek to serve the Lord Jesus Christ."

Another conservative group, the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand also dissented.

As a result of the vote's outcome, it says it believes that the General Synod acted in a way that left biblical authority behind.

It says it's ready to welcome other conservatives opposed to the decision.

Support came from Very Rev Ian Render, who is dean of Waiapu Cathedral, gay and and married.

He says, "I would like, in this late stage of my stipended ministry life, to feel as though I - and everyone else like me - finally will have a place to stand in this church."

Source:

• Newshub
• Christian Today
• Image: Newshub

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna said in an interview with La Civilta Cattolica that the bishops at next month's synod on the family should not take a stance that highlights failure.

Rather they should adopt "a benevolent gaze that sees how much good will and how much effort there is even in the midst of much suffering".

The next step, he said, is not to pretend that everything in all those situations is fine, but to help Catholics build on what is good, growing in holiness and faithfulness to God and to each other.

The cardinal said a civil marriage is better than simply living together, because it signifies a couple has made a formal, public commitment to one another.

"Instead of talking about everything that is missing, we can draw close to this reality, noting what is positive in this love that is establishing itself."

Cardinal Schönborn spoke about a gay friend of his who, after many temporary relationships, is now in a stable relationship.

"It's an improvement," he said.

They share "a life, they share their joys and sufferings, they help one another".

"It must be recognised that this person took an important step for his own good and the good of others, even though it certainly is not a situation the Church can consider ‘regular'."

The Church's negative "judgment about homosexual acts is necessary", the cardinal said, "but the Church should not look in the bedroom first, but in the dining room! It must accompany people."

Pastoral accompaniment "cannot transform an irregular situation into a regular one", he added.

"But there do exist paths for healing, for learning", for moving gradually closer to a situation in compliance with Church teaching.

Cardinal Schönborn said this approach did not dilute Church teaching.

Sources

• Catholic Herald
• Images: Le Figaro