AFFIRM recognizes that there is a strong desire for change to allow people in life long committed Gay relationships to be ordained. While we cannot agree with this we would encourage those who seek this change to set up their own structure including being able to retain their buildings. Our concern is not to block the revisionist approach. Justice demands that no one be forced to act against their conscience. This cuts both ways. Hence our desire to see that those who seek change are given the freedom to do so without forcing others to comply.
AFFIRM held a number of meetings about possible structures culminating in a meeting in Christchurch where all of the comments and findings were presented and then preferences agreed upon. The clear preferences for all the meetings is that we would stay as we are and not go ahead with the recommendations of the "A Way Forward" report. If however this does not happen the following are our offers to the new Commission.
The AFFIRM meeting in Christchurch was impressed with the FCA submission and wanted to have it alongside the others so we have included it. They have it on their own website as well.
The three AFFIRM submissions forwarded to the Working Group appointed by the Primates are:
A) Extra Provincial Diocese. (This is the FCA Submission).
B) An Anglican Order of Aotearoa NZ and Polynesia.
C) An Eighth Non Geographical Diocese in Tikanga Pakeha.
To read the submissions in full, click on 'read more'...
SUBMISSION TO THE WORKING GROUP APPOINTED BY THE PRIMATES
Established by General Synod/Te Hinota Whānui 2016 to consider possible structural arrangements within our ThreeTikanga Church
to safeguard both theological convictions concerning the blessing of same gender relationships.
Possible Structural Arrangements for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia:
Introduction
1. This submission is the result of discussions and meetings held throughout the country,
initiated by the staff of Anglicans for Faith, Intercession, Renewal and Mission (AFFIRM),
culminating in a meeting in Christchurch on 4 August 2016.
2. Because of time constraints this submission has not been approved by a formal meeting
of the AFFIRM Council. But it does faithfully represent the opinions finally emerging from
the nationwide series of meetings of Anglicans, many connected to AFFIRM, that
AFFIRM has organised, and these opinions are consistent with its Mission Statement
expressed in its Constitution, namely,
to call the Church to biblical faith, the life of prayer, spiritual renewal and effective
mission;
3. AFFIRM is an independent organisation within the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New
Zealand and Polynesia. Its membership is composed of Affiliates, Local AFFIRM Groups
and Associates (either individuals or Ministry Units).
4. AFFIRM’s current Affiliate Members are:
Bishopdale Theological College
Church Army New Zealand
Sharing of Ministries Abroad (SOMA), New Zealand
The Latimer Fellowship
The New Zealand Church Missionary Society
AFFIRM has 3 Local AFFIRM Groups in Auckland, Waikato/Waiapu and Dunedin. In
addition, AFFIRM has 26 Ministry Units and 9 individuals who are Associate Members.
Description of a “Theological Conviction”
5. We believe that, in order to provide for adequate protection for each theological
conviction, there needs to be a clear description of the convictions. Therefore we offer
the following as a description of the theological conviction held by those who oppose the
blessing of samesex civil marriages and the ordination of those in samesex sexual
relationships.
5.1. The Church’s doctrine of marriage states that:
● According to Scripture, marriage is between a man and a woman;
● Only sexual relationships within the context of such a marriage are rightly
ordered.
● Any couple who are in a sexual relationship otherwise than what Scripture
allows are not joined together by God;
5.2. Hence the blessing of a couple on God’s behalf who are in sexual relationship
not allowed by Scripture, whether or not they are regarded as married by the
state, is an act of disobedience towards God.
5.3. By continuing in such a sexually intimate relationship a person “will not inherit
the Kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9), and hence, being a matter of obedience
to the consistent view of Scripture, such conduct is not “adiaphora” and is
consequently therefore a “first order” issue.
5.4. This has been the doctrinal position of the catholic church through its existence,
and, as such, is part of “the doctrines of the faith as this church has received
them.” (A New Zealand Prayer Book / He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, The
Ordination of Priests, p905, and The Ordination of Bishops, p917)
5.5. Bishops of this church are required to maintain this doctrine as part of their
commitment to Christ in his Church as they have declared in their ordination.
5.6. Furthermore, the declaration of allegiance to the doctrine of the church required
in our canons requires all who affirm such allegiance, to hold to the above
understanding of the doctrine of marriage.
5.7. It would be inconsistent with this theological conviction, for those holding it, to
acknowledge the authority of a bishop who were to allow the blessing of a
samesex civil marriages or the ordination of a person in a samesex sexual
relationships.
5.8. This view is held by the majority of those who regard themselves as Evangelical,
but is also held by many who would not identify with that designation.
6. We acknowledge that people hold either theological conviction with integrity.
7. Should the Church continue along the path that it is travelling, we believe that those who
advocate for the blessing and ordination of those in samesex relationships will not be
satisfied with provisions of “A Way Forward.” This will not be the end of debate. There
will be a further requirement that they be allowed to conduct marriage services for such
couples.
Requirements
8. In order for each theological conviction to be adequately protected, the following three
requirements need to be met.
8.1. In any proposed restructuring, resources such as property and finances remain
with those of that conviction. For example, where a Parish holds to one of the two
convictions, in the event of a Parish “splitting” from a Diocese holding a
theological conviction different from that of the Parish, the property and finances
of the Parish remain under the control of the Parish. Furthermore, the Parish
would not be required to provide a levy to that Diocese.
8.2. Appointments to such a Parish would be made by those holding the same
conviction as the Parish, and licensed to a Bishop of that conviction.
8.3. Candidates for ordination would be able to apply to a Bishop holding that
theological conviction, and would be ordained by such a Bishop.
8.4. In the case of those who object to the blessing or ordination of those in a
samesex sexual relationship, they would be legally protected from civil action or
prosecution should they refuse to be involved in the blessing, ordination, or the
process of ordination of a person in a samesex sexual relationship. They must,
of course, be exempt from any disciplinary action by the Church, or an individual
bishop, or other member of the Church
Possible Structures
A. An ExtraProvincial Diocese
9.1. At the meeting organised by AFFIRM to produce this submission, it was noted
that there was a further proposal to be presented by the Fellowship of Confessing
Anglicans to the Archbishops’ Working Group. This proposal was widely
supported by those at the meeting.
9.2. The proposal is that an extraprovincial diocese be set up, which could align
either with the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans or with The Episcopal
Church USA (TEC), depending on which theological conviction remains part of
the ACANZP and which leaves.
9.3. The meeting expressed its strong preference for this proposal, particularly if
those wanting a change to the doctrine of marriage formed the basis of the
extraprovincial diocese. It was recognised that this would enable them to
conduct samesex marriages. This also has the advantage that both integrities
described by Motion 30 GS2014 would remain in communion with the Archbishop
of Canterbury through the ACANZP and through TEC respectively.
9.4. For the details of this proposal, we refer the Working Group to the submission
made by the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand.
B. An Anglican Order of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
10.1. This proposal is based on how Religious Orders in the Roman Catholic Church
operate and how Cooperating Parishes operate, modified to suit the current
circumstances.
10.2. The proposal is that an Order be established which shares the same Doctrine
and Constitution (apart from the provision of a General Synod) as the Anglican
Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia (ACANZP). This Order would
not come under the General Synod / Te Hīnota Whānui (GS/THW), but would
establish a Convocation that would meet annually or biennially.
10.3. The Order will have the same Formularies as are current in the ACANZP. Should
the Formularies be altered by the ACANZP, the Order may decide whether or not
to adopt the subsequent changes.
10.4. The Order would develop its own national structure, using the appropriate
terminology (for example, Chapters or Regions).
10.5. Individuals, Parishes and Diocese may choose to join the Order. In the event of a
Parish or Diocese joining the Order, the Parish or Diocese will retain the use of
its property. For such Parishes and Diocese, ordinations and appointments to
licensed ministry shall be made by the Order in a manner determined by the
Order consistent with Anglican polity.
10.6. Parishes may choose to belong to both the Order and the ACANZP. In which
case, the Parish will operate as similarly as appropriate to that of a Cooperating
Parish.
10.7. The Order will provide episcopal oversight in a manner to be determined. For
those exercising significant ministry within the Order there will be the requirement
of being licensed by, and submitting to the authority of, an appropriate Bishop
within the Order.
10.8. The members of the Order would be able to submit to the current Doctrine and
the fundamental clauses of the Constitution of the ACANZP, and would not have
a crisis of conscience through submitting to a governing body that they believe to
be acting contrary to its own rules and Constitution.
10.9. The following chart shows the structure of the proposed Order.
C. An Eighth NonGeographical Diocese in Tikanga Pakeha
11.1. Short Proposal
That:
11.1.1. an eighth nongeographical Tikanga Pakeha diocese be created,
11.1.2. the Declaration of Submission to General Synod for licenses be revised to
become a Declaration of Submission to each Diocesan Synod.
11.1.3. the General Synod facilitate the movement of all parish resources from
existing Diocesan Trust Boards to the trust board of the new Diocese.
11.2. Background
11.2.1. The Fundamental Provision
The fundamental provision for this proposal remains the fulfillment of
Motion 30 GS2014 which;
11.2.1.1.1. recognised that the two integrities are irreconcilable, and
therefore,
11.2.1.1.2. commits to the establishment of a structure and process
whereby each will continue to have integrity within the
Church.
11.2.2. Fundamental Requirements
To fulfill Motion 30 each Integrity requires:
Identity
Integrity
Resources
Identity
Motion 30 GS2014 has correctly identified that there are two deeply held
belief systems represented within the ACANZP, and the irreconcilable
nature of these beliefs. To preserve Integrity there needs to be a
sufficiently clear Identity. This could be resolved either way. Given the
small number of “Liberal” churches that might choose to leave ACANZP
one option is to invite a New Zealand Bishop to convene a branch of The
Episcopal Church (TEC) in New Zealand. Parishes who chose to join
could leave ACANZP, with their property and form a new branch of TEC.
That would create a clear differentiation of Identity, with “Anglican”
referring to those holding orthodox theology and practice internationally
and “Episcopalian” becoming the normal name for “Liberal” Anglicans,
internationally. Failing that eventuality, sufficient identity for orthodox
Anglicans would need to be provided. An eighth nongeographical
diocese with a suitable name would be the minimum requirement to
provide such Identity for any solution that involves both parties remaining
within ACANZP.
Integrity
Those holding licenses need to be able to sign with integrity any
declarations of submission without that being an affront to their beliefs. If
(a) General Synod permits dioceses to hold different practices around the
blessing of same sex relationships and the ordination of those in a
samesex marriage; and (b), the Declaration of Submission to General
Synod is changed to a Declaration of Submission to the local Diocesan
Synod in all things lawful and honest, then most of those licensed will be
able to submit in good conscience.
Resources
This is entirely practical. To fulfill the mission and ministry of the Church
parishes need Resources to fulfill their mission. While transfer of property
outside the Province is more problematic, we have longstanding
experience of transferring property between diocese and between
Tikanga. Because individual parish properties are held by Diocesan Trust
Boards who will be free to make their own decisions in consultation with
their own Diocesan Synods, General Synod would need to give a clear
advisory to Diocesan Trust Boards and Synods to facilitate the movement
of parishes and property to the new diocese. (A time limit, and the
percentage of approval required at any parish’s Special Parishioner
Meeting, could be specified. For example, a limit of 57 years after a GS
motion is passed, with a two thirds approval at a Special Parishioner
Meeting).
Tikanga
This solution respects the position that Tikanga Maori and Tikanga
Polynesia have already taken.
11.3. Conclusion
An eighth nongeographical Tikanga Pakeha diocese is a structure that:
11.3.1. meets the needs for Identity, Integrity and Resources for orthodox
Anglicans,
11.3.2. we are familiar with, and which could be implemented with existing
processes,
11.3.3. respects Motion 30 GS2014 and Motion 29 GS2016’s aspiration for a
solution within ACANZP, and Tikanga Maori and Tikanga Pasifika’s
position,
11.3.4. preserves longterm relationships for Anglicans in New Zealand.
12. Commentary
12.1. The proposal for General Synod to set up an Extraprovincial Diocese was the
preference of the meeting and would satisfy the need for Identity, Integrity and
Resources. It could be considered both a fulfillment of Motion 30 GS2014 and
Motion 29 GS2016 if ACANZP is actively involved in creating that solution. This
would more clearly create differentiation and allow ACANZP to continue in the
way the majority wishes to go.
12.2. There is an incentive for ACANZP to find a substantial solution. The numbers are
interesting. The Church Life Survey of some years ago, in a question asking
people’s theological preferences, revealed that 7% of church members self
identified as “Liberal”, and 43% Evangelical or Charismatic.
12.3. A survey held in Waiapu Diocese (after the 4 year long proliberalisation
education programme) showed the following in an anonymous survey of 400
parishioners across multiple Parishes:
“Q. 6 a) People of gay or lesbian orientation are eligible to be ordained in
the Church
Agree 156 [39%] Disagree 244 [61%]”
So even in a socalled Liberal Diocese, the beliefs on the ground appear to be
quite conservative.
12.4. These statistics account, in part, for the Church’s current dilemma. Those in
favour of liberalisation have the numbers to get a 50% majority at most Synods,
but they may well not have the votes (or parishioner acceptance) to gain the
numbers needed to proceed at General Synod.
12.5. Therein lies the incentive to recognise the reality that Motion 30 GS2014 got it
right by proposing alternative structures for each integrity. ACANZP has the
opportunity to be prophetic for the Anglican world internationally.