New Zealand: Gay ordination threatens to split church
From correspondents in Wellington
November 03, 2006

PLANS to ordain a gay man threaten to split the Church of England in New Zealand, clergy were reported saying today.

The conservative group, Anglican Mainstream, is opposing the ordination of Juan Kinnear as a deacon in the southern city of Dunedin on Saturday.

Christchurch clergyman Reverend Malcolm Falloon told the Otago Daily Times the ordination could split the church and the group had written to the country's archbishops to have it stopped or postponed.

Bishop George Connor, who will conduct the ordination, accepted the move would be controversial, but said the Dunedin diocesan council were satisfied it was in line with past practice and the rules of the church.

Rev Kinnear was in a "committed same-sex relationship", he said.

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