A gay Dunedin Anglican
priest has attacked a move to observe a moratorium that would
mean no more ordinations of partnered gays and lesbians for
the time being.
The Rev Juan Kinnear, whose ordination at St Paul's Cathedral
in 2006 sparked controversy in the Church, has argued the
Church has not reached consensus on other issues, such as the
ordination of women, but those went ahead.
He said yesterday gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender
(GLBT) people were an easy target and, in a church that had
discarded so many religious taboos, discrimination against
gay people remained "the most enduring holy prejudice".
Mr Kinnear was responding to a decision by the bishop-elect
of the Anglican Diocese of Dunedin, the Venerable Dr Kelvin
Wright, to stick to the Church's guideline, and observe the
moratorium on the ordination of partnered gays and lesbians.
Mr Kinnear was ordained by the Bishop of Dunedin, the Right
Rev George Connor, who decided not to observe it when he
performed the ceremony.
The Ven Dr Wright, whose election to the position was
announced on Sunday, yesterday stepped back from the debate
and said he not yet had an opportunity to canvass his diocese
on the matter.
Mr Kinnear said, by email, the churches which made up the
Anglican communion had never recognised a centralised ruling
body in the same way the Roman Catholic Church did.
The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, among
others, had resisted a shift from local autonomy to
centralised accountability, and continued to admit gays to
positions of leadership within their communities, and to
affirm same-sex relationships in their churches.
"In a New Zealand context, the canons [rules] of the local
church do not outlaw the ordination of people in same-sex
relationships."
He said Dr Wright's decision not to ordain suitable
candidates in same-sex relationships was "presumably in an
attempt not to upset conservative local church leaders and to
remain in the good books of those Anglican churches in New
Zealand, and globally, who oppose the inclusion of GLBT
Christians in the leadership of the Church".
To suggest, as Dr Wright did on Sunday, the Church would at
some point come to a consensus on the issue was "highly
implausible".
"The Church has yet to reach consensus on the ordination of
women, yet the Anglican Church in New Zealand has ordained
women for many years.
"The church has yet to reach consensus on the re-marriage of
previously divorced people, yet the Anglican Church of NZ has
proceeded with these marriages for many years.
"Why did it not wait for the whole church to come to one mind
on these matters, as the bishop-elect suggests?"
Responding to Mr Kinnear, Dr Wright described the argument as
"thoughtful and well-considered views".
"From my perspective, I am not yet a bishop, have not yet had
an opportunity to canvass the whole mind of our diocese on
this matter, and would greatly welcome Juan's obviously
well-researched opinions on this matter any time he wishes to
meet with me and share them.
"Apart from that, I feel I have clearly stated my position
and, at this point, do not have anything further to add."
david.loughrey@odt.co.nz
