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.<\/p>\n
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”.<\/p>\n
Rangiora vicar Andrew Allan-Johns declined to comment, but confirmed he had resigned and started a new church.<\/p>\n
The worshippers, priests and parishes that have left the Anglican diocese intend to form a new church.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The first same-sex blessing in Canterbury gave Behan a “sadness”, he said.<\/p>\n