The Uniting Church of Australia’s General Assembly has adopted a dual approach to marriage in acknowledgement of a “diversity of religious beliefs and ethical understandings…on matters relating to sexuality and marriage”.
In a resolution adopted on Friday night in Melbourne, the assembly voted to recognise two statements of belief on marriage – one, expressed in a 1997 statement, which describes marriage as being between “a man and a woman”, and a second which describes marriage as being between “two people”.
The resolution says ministers and celebrants authorised by the Uniting Church in Australia “may exercise freedom to decide whether the minister’s or celebrant’s religious beliefs allow the minister or celebrant to accept requests to celebrate marriages”.
In a pastoral letter released on Sunday, Dr Deidre Palmer, president of the church assembly, said the decision to hold “two equal and distinct” statements of belief on marriage will allow “ministers and celebrants in the Uniting Church the freedom to conduct or to refuse to conduct same-gender marriages”.
“What this means is that ministers who, in good conscience, are willing to conduct same-gender marriages are able to do so,” Dr Palmer wrote. “This does not compromise the rights of those ministers who, in good conscience, cannot conduct same-gender marriages. They will continue to be able to teach their belief that marriage may only be between a man and a woman, and can continue to use a marriage liturgy that reflects that conviction.”
Dr Palmer said she acknowledged the “ministry and struggle of LGBTIQ people in the Uniting Church over many years”.
“I know that this conversation is painful and difficult for you. At the same time I also acknowledge those who are not able to support this change – and your pain and difficulty in this space.”
Dr Palmer also assured members of the church that their “rights to follow your beliefs on marriage will be respected and protected” and that church councils will have the right to determine whether marriage services take place on their premises”.
More than 300 members of the Uniting Church – the third largest denomination in Australia – gathered at Box Hill Town Hall in Melbourne for the church’s 15th triennal assembly meeting between 8th and 14th July.
