The Nuptial Blessing of Same-sex Couples by the Anglican Church in New Zealand Ronald Kent Ashford A thesis submitted for the degree of MA (Bioethics) at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand 28 September 2007 2 Abstract The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia (ACANZP) and the worldwide Anglican Communion are both embroiled in the controversy surrounding Same-sex Sexual Activity and Same-sex Sexual Relationship by Christians who desire to participate fully in the life of the Anglican Church. The controversy has two primary fields of conflict - the blessing of Committed Same-sex Couples (CSsCs), and the consecration to the episcopacy of a person in a CSsC relationship. This thesis will look at the first issue. The appeal for the ACANZP to bless CSsC relationships can be understood as a petition for a CSsC’s relationship to be accepted as a non-legal cultural equivalent to Holy Matrimony for those attracted to persons of the same-sex. We therefore ask: In what ways are the relationships of CSsCs legitimately viewed as equivalent to Holy Matrimony? And, in what ways are they not equivalent? Some people are predisposed towards experiencing relational, romantic or erotic attraction with someone of their own sex, and perceive homosexual attraction as ‘natural’. The church need not ‘agree’ with this view in order to love, accept, and support those who experience such an attraction or are in such a relationship. Where a person experiencing Same-sex (s/s) attraction is unable to be celibate, or to ‘convert’ to heterosexuality, a monogamous, caring, loving and interdependent relationship seems preferable to a series of fleeting sexual contacts, and/or a life lived without enduring companionship. The Anglican Church’s response to homosexuals should be based upon a compassionate concern for the person(s), and not upon an imagined weight of numbers (either high or low), nor upon preconceived ideas about living perfectly in an admittedly fallen world. While some aspects of a CSsC relationship parallel civil marriage, as recognised in New Zealand’s Civil Union Act 2004 and the Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005, and while a CSsC’s relationship can fulfill all the marital obligations, it does not fully fulfill a number of the marital causes of Holy Matrimony. There are also bioethical, philosophical and theological concerns indicating significant differences between a CSsC relationship and the relationship of an opposite-sex couple joined in marriage and especially Holy Matrimony. These differences indicate it would be inappropriate to bless CSsC relationships. This thesis advocates that the ACANZP consider approving a public service of “boundaried- acceptance”, as a recognition and reception of CSsC relationships within the life of its community of faith, which might be entitled: Recognition of a Committed Same-sex Couple. 3 Preface I wish to acknowledge and give thanks for the following people who assisted with the research and writing of this thesis: Professor Grant Gillett, Bioethics Centre, University of Otago, my thesis supervisor. His innumerable ideas, leads, encouragement and guidance made this thesis possible. The Revd Dr Murray Rae, Theology and Religious Studies Department, University of Otago, whose guidance on a number of systematic theological issues and other key aspects was greatly appreciated. Dr Angela Ashford (née Mackie), my wife, my chief encourager and confidante, who always has a willing ear, and a sharp eye for grammar and syntax. Professor Don Evans, Dr Jing-Bao Nie, Dr Neal Pickering and the other staff and post- graduate students at the Bioethics Centre, University of Otago, whose encouragement, enthusiasm and open-door policy made my year in residency truly memorable and valuable. I would like to acknowledge the many parishioners, friends and acquaintances over the years who have enriched my life, and informed me of the human condition, its joys and sorrows. I am grateful for the financial assistance of a Bishop Hadfield Trust Scholarship, administered by the Wellington Diocese, through The Right Revd Dr Bishop Thomas Brown and The Venerable Pat Muxlow (Wellington Diocese) Trustees. Finally, to my mother Betty Ashford, who some years ago challenged me to integrate the many aspects of my life, instead of continuing them compartmentalised. To a great extent this thesis has been an attempt in that direction. Despite all the efforts of all those above to inform, advise and point out errors, all mistakes which remain are mine alone. Ron Ashford Submitted: 30 September 2007 4 Interviewees The Revd Andrew Allan-Johns; Vicar of St John’s (Rangiora), Deputy Chair of National Executive of Mainstream (NZ) and Coordinator for Christchurch Mainstream; Rangiora, 17 February, 2005. The Revd Christine Allan-Johns; Priest Assistant at St John’s (Rangiora), member of Mainstream; Rangiora, 16 February 2005. The Revd Dr George Armstrong; Co-ordinator of Post-graduate Studies at Te Rau Kahikatea, and former lecturer in Theology at St John’s Theological College (Auckland); Auckland, 10 February 2005. The Revd Bob Barrett; Vicar of St George’s (Epsom); Auckland, 19 January 2005. The Ven Dr Don Battley; Co-Archdeacon of Manukau, (Auckland), chair of Development Council, Auckland Diocese; Auckland, 25 January 2005. The Revd Wally Behan; Vicar of St John’s - Latimer Square, (Christchurch); Christchurch, 16 February 2005. Professor John Bishop; Professor of Philosophy - University of Auckland, member of St Luke’s - Mt Albert (Auckland), Canon of The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity - Auckland; Auckland, 17 January 2005. The Revd Dr Bryden Black; Examining Chaplain - Christchurch Diocese; Christchurch, 4 July 2005. The Right Revd John Bluck; Bishop of Waiapu; Napier, 3 February 2005. The Ven Dr Ken Booth; Director of Theology House (Christchurch), previously member of the Doctrine Commission and the Prayer Book Commission; Christchurch, 17 February 2005. The Revd Canon Deborah Broome; Vicar of Seatoun-Strathmore (Wellington), Canon Theologian - Wellington Diocese; Wellington, 14 February 2005. The Revd Colin Brown; former lecturer in Church History - St John’s Theological College (Auckland); Christchurch, 4 July, 2005. The Right Revd Dr Thomas Brown; Bishop of Wellington, Anglican Bishop to the New Zealand Defence Force; Wellington, 2 February 2005. Mr Roger Cann; Barrister and Solicitor (Auckland); Auckland, 1 September 2005. The Right Revd Brian Carrell; retired “Bishop in the North” (Wellington Diocese); Christchurch, 5 July 2005. The Revd Dr Peter Carrell; Director of Studies - Bishopdale College (Nelson), member of the Diocese of Nelson’s Theology Commission, and speaker at the Christchurch Diocesan Synod Conference on Sexuality; Nelson, 15 February 2005. The Revd Dr Mary Caygill; Principal and Lecturer in Pastoral Theology - Trinity Methodist Theological College (Auckland); Auckland, 9 February 2005. The Right Revd Dr David Coles; Bishop of Christchurch, former chair of Tikanga Pakeha Commission on Human Sexuality, Chair of Commission on Doctrine, member of Primates’ Sounding Commission on Sexuality; Christchurch, 4 July 2005. The Right Revd George Connor; Bishop of Dunedin, Chair of the Prayer Book Commission; Dunedin, 26 May 2005. 5 The Revd Edrick Corban-Banks; Vicar of St Barnabas (Stoke, Nelson), member of the Mission Council (overseas), Nelson Diocese, and Church Missionary Society (CMS) Council; Nelson, 15 February 2005. The Revd Dr Phillip Culbertson; Director of Pastoral Studies, St John’s Theological College (Auckland); Auckland, 9 February 2005. The Revd Lloyd Cullen; Priest-in-Charge, Glenfield Parish (Auckland); Auckland, 24 January 2005. The Right Revd Derek Eaton; Bishop of Nelson; Nelson, 16 February 2005. The Revd Brian Hamilton; Vicar of Holy Trinity (Tauranga); via phone, 6 December 2004. The Revd Jennifer Harrison; Co-vicar of Onehunga (Auckland), member of Changing Attitudes Group (Auckland), former Director of Field Education, St John’s Theological College, Auckland, Spiritual Director; Auckland, 11 February 2005. The Revd Michael Hewat; Vicar of West Hamilton, (Hamilton), member of Licensed Ministry Council, Waikato Diocese, founding member of Mainstream (NZ), Editor of Waikato Mainstream; Hamilton, 4 February 2005. The Revd Charles Hughes; Vicar of Henderson (Auckland), convenor of Mainstream (Auckland); Auckland, 2 December 2004. ‘Jack’, details withheld. Mr Juan Kinnear; Assistant to the Principal of the School of Ministry, Knox Theological College (Dunedin); Dunedin, 25 July 2005. The Revd Jonathan Kirkpatrick; Chief Executive Officer - AUT Technology Park, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) (Auckland), and former Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral (Dunedin); Auckland, 30 August 2005. Mrs Diane Lees; Clinical Psychologist, Child and Adolescence Mental Health Service, (Tauranga); Kawakawa Bay, Auckland, 18 January 2005. Dr Hugh Lees; Paediatrician, Tauranga Public Hospital (Tauranga); Kawakawa Bay, Auckland, 18 January 2005. The Revd Howard Leigh; Vicar of St Luke’s Mt Albert-Kingsland, Auckland, Archdeacon of Waitamata, Co-Director of Post-ordination Training, Chaplain at UniTech, (all in Auckland); Auckland, 10 February 2005. Dr Peter Lineham; Associate Professor of History, Massey University, (Albany, Auckland), Chairman of Board, Auckland Community Church; 10 February 2005. Captain Peter Lloyd; National Director of Church Army (New Zealand), member of General Synod, and of Auckland Synod, Chairman of AFFIRM (New Zealand)(Anglicans For Faith, Intercession, Renewal