The Archbishops and Primates

of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

25 October 2016

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are delighted to announce the members of the Primates' Working Group to be established following the passing of Motion 29 at General Synod/Te Hīnota Whānui in May of this year.

This group is charged with seeking to find ‘structural arrangements within our Three-Tikanga Church to safeguard both theological convictions concerning the blessing of same gender relationships.’

We have been humbled by the opportunities we have had to meet and speak with many individuals and groups from across this Church reflecting the wide range of views on these matters. 

What has stood out is the grace, the compassion and the goodwill reflected in these discussions. A very high proportion of those who have spoken with us are so clearly genuinely seeking to step into the shoes of those they disagree with. There is a clear determination to come around the table and work for mechanisms that allow us to move forward together in mission without minimising or denying our differences.

Our proposal for a two tier approach has been widely welcomed: 

1.     A small three (or max 6) member working group with responsibility for facilitating the process to develop possible structural mechanisms for discussion across the Church and ultimately to bring them to GSTHW 2018. 

2.     A panel of consultants, available to the working group, made up of people identified by interested parties (for example Affirm, FoCA, young people, Changing Attitudes, LGTBI, legal advisors etc) who can provide an immediate point of contact for the working group and who will ensure consultation with their own constituency.

We have received a significant number of submissions for the Working Group to consider. Because of this it is hoped that the Working Group will still be able to achieve the timetable we established in our letter to the Church dated  2 June 2016.

The members of the Primates’ Working Group are: The Right Reverend Richard Ellena (Bishop of Nelson), Mrs Jackie Pearse (a former General Secretary of this Church), The Reverend Learne McGrath (Vicar of Massey, Auckland), Mr Jeremy Johnson (Chancellor of the Diocese of Christchurch), Mr Fei Tevi (Diocese of Polynesia) and The Reverend Katene Eruera (Dean Tikanga Māori St John’s College).

 

 

Archbishop Winston Halapua                    Archbishop Philip Richardson             Archbishop Brown Turei

Bishop for the Diocese of Polynesia in         Senior Bishop of New Zealand                 Bishop of Aotearoa

          Aotearoa New Zealand                                       Dioceses