The Diocese of Wangaratta, at it’s recent synod, passed the following motion,
That this Synod:
a) acknowledges the widespread national and local support for the recent changes to Australian marriage laws, to include same-sex couples
b) commends the pastoral value of the Bishop authorising a Form of Blessing for optional use in the Diocese of Wangaratta alongside, or in addition to, a wedding conducted by a civil celebrant, and
c) requests that the Bishop of Wangaratta ensure opportunity for the clergy and laity of the Diocese to engage in further discussion as part of the process leading to the potential Diocesan provision for blessing of civil marriages.
Moved: Archdeacon Clarence Bester
Seconded: Ven Dr John Davis
The motion was passed overwhelmingly on the voices. A number of observations can immediately be made:
- The motion comes from the leadership of the diocese, presented by an Archdeacon and the former Vicar General of the Diocese.
- The sentiment of the motion is in clear contradiction to a number of motions at the 2017 General Synod and position established in the more recent Bishops’ Agreement which Bishop Parkes of Wangaratta agreed to….