Bishop denies last minute veto of gay wedding

The Bishop of Auckland rejects claims that ‘instructions from on high’ have caused a last minute halt to a proposed gay wedding taking place at St Matthew-in-the-City parish.

Bishop Ross Bay says the Vicar of the Parish, the Rev’d Glynn Cardy, told him there was no intention for the church to be able to offer such a marriage ceremony, but a blessing would be possible following a legal civil marriage elsewhere.

The Bishop says no directive was given to St Matthew’s as there was never an intention for such a wedding to take place as the Vicar was working within existing Anglican Church policy, which he understood.

The Anglican Church defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Within the Church, discussions are taking place about the nature of marriage and the Church’s response to those who are seeking same-gender marriage. The Anglican Church seeks to be a welcoming place to all people, including the gay community, and is committed to how that can be so in practice while retaining respect for the diverse beliefs of many people in the church over this issue.

The Anglican Church’s governance structures in New Zealand are independent of the Church of England. It is not possible for the Church of England to issue orders or instructions to the New Zealand Church. Such a suggestion by ZM is incorrect and a result of a misunderstanding of church governance structures.

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