Decision is ‘disgraceful’, say the couple, but PM sticks up for minister at Presbyterian church Ebenezer St John’s in Ballarat

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Malcolm Turnbull has defended a Victorian church that cancelled the wedding of a local couple after they posted their support for same-sex marriage on Facebook.

The couple in their 20s – who have not been named – were to be married at the Presbyterian church of Ebenezer St John’s in Ballarat, Fairfax media reported on Friday.

Days after Turnbull announced the postal survey in August, the young woman posted her support for marriage equality. She and her fiance were then told by the minister, Steven North, he would no longer marry them or allow the ceremony to be held in the church.

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“After the premarital counselling that you attended and the sermons delivered at Ebenezer on this subject, you must surely appreciate that your commitment to same-sex marriage opposes the teaching of Christ Jesus and the scriptural position practiced by the Presbyterian church of Australia and by me,” he reportedly wrote in a letter to them.

“By continuing to officiate it would appear either that I support your views on same-sex marriage or that I am uncaring about this matter. As you know, neither statement is correct.

“Also, if the wedding proceeded in the Ebenezer St John’s church buildings, the same inferences could be drawn about the Presbyterian denomination. Such inferences would be wrong.”

The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, said he thought “we would have moved beyond that sort of prejudice”, but the prime minister defended the minister’s actions.

“Churches are entitled to marry or not marry whom they please,” he said. “That is part of religious freedom. My own church, the Catholic church, will not marry someone who has married before.”

According to Fairfax, the couple, who had attended the church for 10 years, told North his decision was “disgraceful”.



“You were made aware from the beginning of our proceedings that we had gay friends and also that people in our wedding party were gay. How could you assume that we would abandon them or degrade them with regards to same-sex marriage?”

North and Ebenezer St John’s could not be reached for comment.

Derryn Hinch (@HumanHeadline) Parson at Ebenezer St.John's Ballarat bans straight couple's wedding because they're voting YES. How christian of him.

Those arguing for a no vote have frequently pointed to religious freedom as an argument against marriage equality, but most calls for “conscientious objection” have been to allow refusal of service to same-sex couples, not to any couple who supports marriage equality.

The moderator general of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, John Wilson, declined an interview but said in a statement it was a local church matter.

“Within the Presbyterian church of Australia, the question of accepting requests to officiate at weddings is a discretionary matter for ministers of congregations, and not something that is directed from higher places or central offices of the church,” he said.

“The minister engages with the people concerned, counsels them, builds relationships with them, and then taking all this into consideration decides to accept or not.”

Wilson did not respond to follow-up questions.

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The Presbyterian church has urged its congregation to oppose changing the Marriage Act.



It recently requested its followers “without binding consequence” to consider voting no in the postal survey, and to try to persuade their family and friends to do the same.

“There’s no doubt that the postal vote can be won in favour of the current definition,” Wilson wrote. “There is a large number of Australians, many of whom have not had their say, who affirm the common view of marriage as God-given and God-blessed.

“Your participation will make a difference, but we need you to be earnest, active and in prayer about it. There are many powerful voices clamouring to tear down what God declares to be holy. The church must not be silent on this. While we speak up and have our say, we do so with a gracious engagement and with respect for those with whom we disagree.”

In 2015, SBS reported the NSW branch of the church had voted to push the federal body to withdraw from the Marriage Act should it be amended to include same-sex couples.

The motion, made at the church’s annual meeting, was passed 140 votes to 62, SBS reported.

A subsequent statement by the New South Wales assembly moderator, Kevin Murray, said the decision was based on a report which argued legalising same-sex marriage “would corrupt a good gift of God into a wrong”.

“That would mean that ministers would then be acting for the government in a system which did not reflect the biblical view of marriage,” Murray said.

“In this case the positive reason for our cooperation with the Marriage Act would have been removed, and we would be better to avoid association with evil by no longer acting as celebrants.”