New Zealand: Church changes its mind on holding first same-sex wedding

A church in New Zealand has attracted media attention after it went back on its decision to hold one of the country’s first same-sex weddings over a policy issue.

St Matthew’s in the City has changed its mind on holding the wedding, to be hosted by radio network ZM music station, over a policy which forbids same-sex weddings, but the church vicar has filed a motion to change the policy.

The wedding is still set to take place, as organised by the station, but the new venue has not yet been decided.

St Matthew’s in the City vicar Glynn Cardy said the decision to not hold the wedding came down to policy.

He said: “And that policy says that the marriage between a same-gender couple can’t happen inside St Matthew’s church, can’t be taken by an Anglican priest within St Matthew’s church.”

He went on to say that the policy is discriminatory and that he is committed to working towards changing it.

“I’ve got a motion before the Auckland Synod in September that is asking the synod to engage with that and then we’d see what happens at general synod in May 2014,” he continued.

ZM radio may face competition to hold the first wedding, as Air New Zealand also announced that it plans to attempt hold the country’s first same-sex wedding ceremony at 30,000 ft above the ground, and its ceremony will be attended by Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson. 

New Zealand passed its equal marriage bill in April, and wedding ceremonies can begin to take place from 19 August.

Mr Cardy was involved in a controversy last year over his church’s billboard, which raised the question of whether or not Jesus might have been gay.

• TV
• Dec 18

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