By Briar Babington, New Zealand Herald.
Some of the nation’s Presbyterian churches are revolting against a ban on performing same-sex marriages imposed by their national body.
Last year, the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) banned its ministers from performing same-sex marriages after the issue was put forward to the general assembly by a regional presbytery.
PCANZ moderator Right Reverend Andrew Norton said the assembly decided “ministers may conduct marriage only between a man and woman”.
“While the rule came into effect immediately [in October 2014], general assembly decided to adopt the rule ‘ad interim’, which means that the decision requires discernment and ratification by local churches and our regional church bodies,” Mr Norton said.
Presbyterian churches around New Zealand have until October 10 to submit a response from their local church.
Reverend Doug Lendrum, of St David’s Presbyterian Church in Auckland, said his church did not support the assembly’s ban.
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Surprised the louisville sluggers have not had an asinine pronouncement about how intolerant Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is, or how they should try to engage in US style mutual forbearance.
Homophobes would be the term used to those of us rejecting gay marriage seeking to make everyone embrace their abominable sin. Now, who are the intolerant?; who are those who claim to be men and women, boys and girls broad minded with comassion???? Who???