In a historic moment for the Sydney Anglican Church, and the latest in a series of small victories for Christian survivors of domestic violence, the synod has for the first time voted in favour of allowing divorced survivors of abuse to remarry.

Key points: The synod voted 325-161 in favour of a motion requesting bishops to consider violence grounds for remarriage

The synod voted 325-161 in favour of a motion requesting bishops to consider violence grounds for remarriage During debate, some said they already thought domestic violence was grounds for remarriage

During debate, some said they already thought domestic violence was grounds for remarriage Sydney Diocese's emphasis on "indissolubility of marriage" a significant barrier to leaving abusive relationships, survivors say

In a secret ballot held on Tuesday night the diocesan synod voted 325-161 in favour of a motion requesting that bishops consider "approving the remarriage of a divorced person, where that person has been abused physically or emotionally by their former spouse".

It had taken 34 years of deliberation.

During the two hours of debate, influential evangelical minister Reverend Andrew Katay said it was a "no-brainer", and cautioned that 52 women would die as a result of domestic violence before next year's synod.

A divide became apparent between clergy who work on the "frontlines" with women who have been abused, and those who do not, while the motion's mover urged the room to show "love and support" for victims and help their healing.

The consensus until this point had been that an abused wife could separate from her husband, but the question of whether she could remarry has been moot.

During its investigation into domestic violence in the church, ABC News was repeatedly told that this uncertainty — and the belief by many clergy members that abuse is not grounds for divorce or remarriage — has left many survivors trapped in abusive and unsafe marriages.

One woman, Claire (not her real name), who suffered years of abuse by her Anglican minister husband, said the vote was "heartening".

"[It] gives me hope that the clergy and lay leaders might be learning," she told ABC News.

Vote resurfaces decades-old tensions

The carried motion will not necessarily change much in practice because bishops will still, in accordance with church law, be able to deny a divorcee's application for remarriage.

But it highlights the Diocese's deepening understanding of the devastating impacts of abuse within its parishes and opens the door to the possibility of a significant reform of church doctrine which, despite repeated attempts over three decades, has until now seemed unlikely.

It has also resurfaced decades-old tensions in a diocese that has long upheld a Christian ethos based on a traditional view of marriage and sexuality, and angered survivors who remain concerned that some members of the clergy and laity who opposed it are still prioritising church doctrine over the safety and wellbeing of women.

"The suggestion by some in synod that victims might need to have their doctrine 'corrected' rather than be supported when they go to clergy for help … shows the Diocese's ugliest face, and sends women the message that the church is not a safe place for victims of domestic violence," Claire said.

'Some … but not all clergy'

The Diocese's domestic violence taskforce last week recommended that the issue of divorce and remarriage be referred to the historically conservative Doctrine Commission, which advises the synod on theological matters and church law.

Canon Sandy Grant told synod that the taskforce, which recently presented its final policy for responding to domestic abuse, had received feedback during consultations suggesting the policy should "indicate that divorce and remarriage after domestic abuse was always permissible for victims".

Others, meanwhile, had argued the policy went "too far" and "inadvertently undermined the intended permanence of the marriage covenant".

But Lyn Bannerman, lay synod representative for Christchurch St Laurence and the mover of the motion, told the hundreds gathered in Pitt Street's Wesley Theatre on Tuesday that the Commission, given its current workload, would likely take too long.

The Doctrine Commission had also already examined the issue of divorce and remarriage in 1984, Ms Bannerman said, but had produced an "unclear" and "unhelpful" report that sparked a "rather torturous discussion".

Then, an attempt by Synod to draft an ordinance in 1985 had lapsed, she said, and repeated efforts to clarify the matter in subsequent years had also been unsuccessful.

And while it was "generally understood" that sexual infidelity or desertion by a former partner were acceptable grounds for a divorced person to remarry, Ms Bannerman said she believed "some … but not all clergy" considered abuse to be a legitimate ground.

"Some abused people are so deeply distressed and angry and damaged that the very idea of further marriage is unthinkable," Ms Bannerman said.

"But for those to whom the possibility comes of a new marriage based on deep love, mutual respect and true honouring of each other, how can this diocese be seen to be standing in the way of the profound healing this offers?

"Let's show our love and support to abuse victims, including those abused by our own clergymen or lay workers, and not turn them away from our churches."

Abuse 'a form of desertion'

A number of ministers spoke in support of the motion, with some saying they had, based on their understanding of church law, approved the remarriage of several congregants who had divorced their abusive spouse.

"I thought I was taught at college that abuse is [a] form of desertion [and was therefore grounds for divorce]," said Rev Stephen Gibson of Abbotsford church in Sydney's inner-west.

"I imagine dozens of rectors in this room have been operating in this way for years — that abuse is a form of desertion."

Also speaking in support of the motion, Rev Phillip Bradford of St Luke's in Enmore said it had taken the global church "a very long time" to recognise that the only appropriate action for some "broken marriages" was divorce.

"This is certainly the case when a person in a marriage has been the victim of domestic violence … and we also know that in the majority of these cases the victim is a woman," he said.

The motion, he added, sought to do one thing: "It asks that when a bishop is considering whether or not to allow the remarriage of a divorced person, he take note if domestic violence has been a factor in the divorce.

"The motion makes no demands, but it asks bishops to be alert to this possibility."

But several men spoke against the motion, including Reverend Mark Thompson, the head of Moore Theological College and chair of the Doctrine Commission.

While domestic violence was "never justifiable", Rev Thompson said, the issue of divorce and remarriage required "time and careful study of bible passages".

"We must take care that in our concern for the victims of domestic violence, we do not redraw our doctrine of marriage," he said.

Bishop Peter Lin, of the Georges River region, also spoke against the motion, saying he did not believe domestic abuse was automatically grounds for divorce and remarriage.

"I'm a slow learner — this will take time," Bishop Lin said of his consideration of the issues at hand.

"I beg synod to give those of us who are slow learners more time."

Significant barrier to leaving abusive relationships

Their comments have drawn fierce criticism from survivors, including several former clergy wives, who say the Sydney Diocese's emphasis on the "indissolubility" of marriage is a significant barrier for those seeking to leave abusive relationships.

A former clergy wife who first spoke to ABC News last year about her Anglican husband's abuse said she was disappointed by Rev Thompson and Rev Lin's remarks.

"The church community expects its leaders to have an understanding of domestic violence and be committed to best practice in dealing with cases of abuse," she said. "Women's and children's lives are at stake."

A spokesman for the Sydney Diocese said the matter would still be reviewed by the Doctrine Commission in line with the domestic violence taskforce's recommendation, but that Archbishop Glenn Davies — who told Synod on Tuesday night that he had personally found the issue of divorce and remarriage to be "contentious and difficult" — would be expediting the process.

Should the Commission's view diverge from that of the synod's, a new battleground may be set for the next synod.

"Bishops are very much aware of the complexity of issues surrounding the breakdown of marriage and the need for pastoral care and support for those who see no other option than to end their marriage," Archbishop Davies said in a statement.

"The scourge of domestic abuse in our society has brought heightened awareness of the need to provide adequate and sensitive pastoral care to victims of abuse.

"The bishops are mindful of all of these factors when considering remarriage applications, yet I have noted the request of the synod … and I shall consult further with the bishops before providing my response."