Anglican splinter group grows as first same-sex blessing goes ahead in Canterbury
Friday, 15 February 2019
Another Anglican vicar has resigned over the decision to allow same-sex blessings as the first ceremony takes place in Canterbury under the new rule.
Rangiora vicar Andrew Allen-Johns resigned from his parish earlier this month and established a new church in central Christchurch called Anchor. The move comes as a male couple became the first in Canterbury to have a same-sex blessing under the Anglican church.
One of the pair declined to comment as they wanted the blessing to remain a private matter.
Anglicans voted last year to allow same-sex blessings. The move means each vicar can decide if they will conduct same sex blessings with permission from the local bishop. The decision has led to a number of Christchurch worshippers, parishes and priests leaving the Anglican church.
**READ MORE:
* 'We're not bigots', says vicar splitting from Anglicans over same-sex blessings
* Church leaders resign over Anglican decision on same-sex blessings**
Canterbury's new Anglican bishop Peter Carrell attended the same-sex blessing in central Christchurch last month.
'I gave my blessing and approval for it to take place and this is part of our journey as a diocese,' he said.
'I put my name forward as bishop explicitly saying I would permit same-sex blessings, but always having regard for the unity of our church. It's important that we do have a blessing in this diocese so we are not waiting around forever wondering if one is going to happen. I was very happy that we had one and we're talking about the realities of people's lives.'
Since the vote to allow same-sex blessings last year, three Christchurch parishes have split from the Anglican church - St Stephens in Shirley, St John in Latimer Square and Christchurch South. About 80 per cent of worshippers in Woolston have also left to form a new church. Vicars have resigned in Avonhead, Papanui and Rakaia, taking some worshippers with them.
Last year, St Matthew's church in Dunedin left the Anglican church, with vicar Stu Crosson writing in a parish newsletter that same-sex ceremonies were blessing 'something that God calls an abomination'.
Rangiora vicar Andrew Allan-Johns declined to comment, but confirmed he had resigned and started a new church.
The worshippers, priests and parishes that have left the Anglican diocese intend to form a new church.
St Stephens minister Jay Behan said West Hamilton Church, which left the Anglican church in 2014 over same-sex blessings, will join the new church. He said the new church would hold its first synod in May to agree on a new name, constitution and bishop.
The first same-sex blessing in Canterbury gave Behan a 'sadness', he said.
'This is what the decision allows and it is what Peter promised he would do before his election as bishop.
'It is not unexpected, but I have a sadness. This continues to be a really difficult issue for the church to wrestle with and it is one that is painful for all involved.'
Carrell said the split in the church could continue to grow.
'More people may leave. It might be naive of me to think the situation has stabilised.
'I'm confident we're not going to see this year the significant numbers that left last year.'