SYDNEY diocesan synod has denounced a bishop in rural Victoria
for appointing a priest with a same-sex partner, and for his
public support of gay people.
The Bishop of Gippsland, the Rt Revd John McIntyre, told his
diocesan synod in May that he believed that, for too long, the
Church had asked same-sex-attracted people to wait outside the
church "while we decide the basis on which they can be a part of
the Church's life".
He said that he would continue to appoint to office "those whom
I believe God is calling to minister among us, and I will continue
to do so with a grateful heart to God for the gifts and skills they
bring us".
The Sydney synod's resolution expressed "grave concern" at
Bishop McIntyre's appointment of the priest, and its "dismay" over
his comments to his synod. It also asked its Standing Committee to
"look for ways to recognise, encourage, and support those faithful
Anglicans who are disenfranchised by such actions, and to reach
those elements of society denied a faithful presentation of the
gospel".
It asked Australian bishops to appoint clergy and church workers
"in line with the expectations for elders as set forth in
Scripture" and in accordance with Lambeth Conference Resolution
1.10 of 1998.