Australian Anglicans have re-affirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman says the Primate (head of the church)

The lead Bishop of the Australian Anglicans has stated that the Anglican Church of Australia affirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman at the church’s most recent General Synod.

Archbishop Geoffrey Smith of Adelaide made this clear today while commenting on the formation of the Diocese of the Southern Cross, a new body for people who do not wish to stay in a progressive diocese of the Anglican Church.

“The meeting of the General Synod held in May this year clearly affirmed the view that marriage is between a man and a woman, and declined to affirm same-sex marriage,” Smith writes. “It is perplexing therefore that the leaders of this breakaway movement cite the reason for this new denomination as the failure of General Synod to explicitly express an opinion against the blessing of same-sex marriages.”

The General Synod failed to endorse a statement against blessings of same-sex civil marriages despite significant majorities in the Houses of Laity (unordained delegates) and Clergy when the Bishops narrowly voted against it 12-10. However a second statement about chastity, which contained support for traditional marriage passed.

Despite the views expressed at General Synod some dioceses have endorsed the blessing of same-sex marriages. A ruling by the church’s top legal body has made it clear that the constitution of the church does not prevent them from going ahead.

Smith is critical of the formation of the new Diocese of the Southern Cross, described by a coalition of conservative Anglicans known as Gafcon (the Global Anglican Futures Conference) who have birthed the new venture, as a “lifeboat” for those unable to serve with progressive bishops. 

“I note the formal launch this week of a company named the Diocese of the Southern Cross,” Smith writes.

“This company, while established by some members of the Anglican Church of Australia and structured to mirror some of the characteristics of an Anglican diocese, has no formal or informal relationship or connection with the Anglican Church of Australia. As such it will operate independently from the Anglican Church as, effectively, a new denomination.”

The 350 Anglican delegates meeting in Canberra this week at the Gafcon conference, that is setting up the Diocese of the Southern Cross – and many others will consider themselves in fellowship with the new body.

The former Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, will take up his appointment as the Bishop of the new diocese today. Several bishops will take part in his commissioning. We’ll add their names when the details are released.

Update: the photos of the commissioning show bishops Glenn Davies (who is being commissioned), Richard Condie (Tasmania) and Archbishop Foley Beach, Primate of the Anglican church of north America and Chair of the Gafcon Primate’s Council.