New policy would ban same-sex weddings in churches and LGBTI support groups in schools

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Christian gay rights advocates say a new policy from the Sydney Anglican diocese that will ban same-sex weddings in churches and school halls and clamp down on the freedom of priests to support LGBTI rights goes against “core teachings” of the Bible.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a ban on the promotion of homosexuality on church property is likely to be approved at a meeting next week.

The new measures would potentially silence priests who advocate for LGBTI acceptance, and outlaw LGBTI support groups in Anglican schools.

The text of the policy would confirm that church-owned buildings can only be used for acts that “conform to the doctrines, tenets and beliefs of the diocese”. It specifically picks out “advocacy for transgender ideology (e.g: gender-fluidity)” and “advocacy for expressions of human sexuality contrary to our doctrine of marriage” to be banned.

It will be debated and discussed at a series of meetings held on Monday and Tuesday.

The bishop who authored the policy, Michael Stead, told the Herald no current activities would be affected.

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“The new policy doesn’t represent a change in our position and I wouldn’t expect it to have an effect on any activities currently occurring on church trust property,” he said.

“Because the federal government has changed its definition of marriage, the policy makes clear the church’s doctrine of marriage has not changed and that property use scenarios relate only to man/woman marriage.”

Steff Fenton, the co-chair of the Sydney branch of Equal Voices, a pro-LGBTI Christian group, said the proposed policy was designed to “squash free speech”.

She said it was “vitally important” that priests be allowed to advocate for LGBTI Christians. “The very fact that they need an ordinance to tell people not to speak these views, means there are people in these communities who support the full inclusion of queer people in the Anglican church,” she said.

“I am thoroughly Anglican myself, I go to an Anglican church, I am queer. We are thoroughly invested and part of these communities. We are not outside. These have real consequences for us.

“[The new policy] goes against some of the very core teachings of the Bible. That there is openness and grace and love for all.”

She rejected Stead’s claim that no activities would be affected. “If the use of property would go largely unchanged then why do we need this ordinance?” she said.

“The diocese is a champion of free speech, and we’ve seen that is very important for them, as well as that they are not discriminated against. But it seems that this squashes freedom of speech and pushes for discrimination against people and vulnerable young people.”

In a statement, Stead said that “there is no intent to quash debate”. “The principle is simple – churches should not be compelled to use their property for purposes contrary to their doctrine … We also maintain that freedom of religion in Australia should allow us to use our property in accordance with this belief.”

In 2017, the Sydney Anglican diocese was the biggest public donor to the no campaign against same sex marriage, giving it $1m. Archbishop Glenn Davies said at the time he made “no apologies” for their campaign.

The Anglican archbishop of Perth, Kay Goldsworthy, said last year she personally supported marriage equality – but would not challenge the church’s overall stance.