The resolution affirms that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, but it allows for individual bishops to offer a "non-formulary service" to bless same-sex couples.

The General Synod had previously passed a resolution noting that Tikanga Pasifika would not be voting for the blessing of same-sex relationships.

In the preamble to the resolution, the synod said it was "deeply mindful of the deep interweaving of cultural and religious values at the core of our Pacific societies that place a profound respect and reverence for the belief in God and the belief in the traditional understanding of marriage."

It also notes that the constitutions of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji "do not recognize any union between the same gender."

The Diocese of Polynesia released a statement saying the "constitutions and cultures" of its nations were reflected in its position on the issue.

The statement said the diocese honoured the church's work and understood the decision to allow same-sex marriages was "located in the Maori and Pakeha context, within the laws and cultures of New Zealand."

But it said, as far as the church was concerned, Pacific custom and protocol was against same-sex relationships.

The Diocese of Polynesia stressed the church was still united and "the beauty of this decision is that no-one imposes on anyone... an authentic representation of our voyage together."

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• christianheadlines.com
• anglicantaonga.org.nz

He says that on first impression the three tikanga church has modelled an age-old Anglican virtue of patience; something, he fears, that is in danger of being lost.

He has that impression, he says, because of what took place at the 2016 General Synod.

Idowu-Fearon noted that while the Tikanga Maori and the Tikanga Pasifika both could have asked for the vote to be taken on the issue of same gender blessing they chose to give Tikanga Pakeha - who were themselves stuck, divided and in danger of splitting - more time to find their way forward.

"For me that is the height of patience. That is the height of love and concern. And it is the practical outworking of this concept the Primates came up with in January 2016, that we work together in spite of our differences."

"There is always a need for patience. And I believe that this province is reminding our Communion that patience is a major characteristic of what it means to be Anglican."

Idowu-Fearon is convinced that where same-gender blessing is concerned, Anglicans are called to show a lead in finding a workable answer to that question.

He says Anglicans should earnestly pray that they do not fall into the temptation of schism.

Instead, they should hold fast to the virtue of patience.

"The Americans won't like this, but can you imagine if they had had leaders like Archbishops Brown and Winston to say: ‘Hang on: Let's give some time'? They would have won more sympathisers?"

"And you see no matter what we do, there is no way that either the right or the left will ever win. It's not possible."

"So our best option, is the Christ option: Be together. Walk together. Checkmate each other."

"When we're together, there is no room for arrogance: ‘I don't need you. I don't want to know you '- I haven't read that in the gospel.

"As one of the new Primates said to me: ‘Jesus walked with the Pharisees, Sadducees and sinners.'

‘Do I have a choice?' "

"Or as the Pope has said: ‘Who am I to judge?' "

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• Anglican Taonga
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This "Commission on Doctrine and Theological Questions" is being convened at the instruction of General Synod Standing Committee, which met in Auckland last week.

The commission will also look at the implications of such blessings on the ordination of people in same gender relationships.

General Secretary of the Anglican Province of New Zealand ,Rev. Michael Hughes, has written to the three tikanga secretaries (Tikanga Pasefika, Maori and Pakeha, respectively) - about setting up the new commission.

He is requesting the secretaries to ask their respective tikanga standing committees to appoint three members to that new commission.

Several speakers at the last Hermeneutic Hui on 2 February floated the idea of a theological hui on marriage, but The General Synod Standing Committee opted for the commission route instead.

The Ma Whea Commission will need to be briefed on all the doctrinal questions before constructing its report to next year's General Synod, and Standing Committee probably felt that a tightly focused team of theologians from each tikanga would better serve this timeline.

The new doctrinal commission will also make its findings available to the wider church for response, before supplying both its report and those responses to Standing Committee and the Ma Whea Commission by the end of this year.

Source

• Anglican Taonga
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The Church hopes the appointment of the committee is a step that will lead it out of the impasse over questions involving in same gender relationships.

The committee met for the first time on 9 June to begin the task of clarifying the choices the church faces - and identifying the implications of those choices.

The commission was instituted by the Standing Committee of the General Synod, which resolved at its November 2011 meeting to ask a small group of eminent people "with ability, credibility and a commitment to work in prayerful collegiality" to convene to do this work.

The commission's task is to summarise the Biblical and theological work done by the church over 30 years on these matters - and to present a final report which outlines the various options, and suggests the implications of each of those options, to the 2014 General Synod.

The members of the commission are:

Sir Anand Satyanand, who was a lawyer, judge and ombudsman before he was chosen as New Zealand's 19th Governor General.

Ms Mele Tuilotolava, a Tongan New Zealander lawyer who is also involved in a wide range of health, legal and Pacific Island advocacy work.

Professor Paul Trebilco, head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Otago.

Justice Judith Potter, a High Court judge, and former president of both the Auckland District and New Zealand Law Societies.

Sir Tamati Reedy, an educationalist who was the founding Professor of the University of Waikato's School of Maori and Pacific Development, and who has also served as the head of the Maori Affairs Department.

Source

• Anglicantaonga
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