Sydney Anglicans to ban SSM, yoga and Indigenous smoking ceremonies on all church property [ABC.au]

Sydney Anglicans to ban SSM, yoga and Indigenous smoking ceremonies on all church property

By Julia Baird and Stephanie Boltje
October 19, 2018


PHOTO: The same-sex marriage debate divided some elements of the Anglican church.
AAP: CAROL CHO


The Sydney Anglican Church is set to vote on sweeping powers that will ensure that no same-sex marriage services or receptions, meditative yoga or traditional Indigenous smoking ceremonies will be held on any of their extensive properties, including schools, rental properties and church halls.

The 900 church trust properties owned by the Anglican Diocese of Sydney will be included, along with commercial assets leased from the church by secular organisations or businesses — as well as any body corporate, organisation, school or Anglican association such as Anglicare and Youthworks.

It is understood this would include, for example, shops owned by the church in the Sydney Town Hall arcade, Sydney Square and St Andrew's House, as well as properties such as those rented as the barrister's chambers of St James.

LGBT Anglicans and Indigenous leaders expressed outrage and concern as lawyers scrambled to understand the full implications of what they say is largely untested law.

"This is an alarming stifling of voices," said former Anglican pastor and co-chair of Equal Voices, Joel Hollier.

"There are so many LGBT Anglican people within our churches that long to have a place within the church. We are faithful, deeply engaged and seeking to be a part of our church communities.

One Sydney lesbian churchgoer, who could not be identified for fear of retribution and stigma, said she cried when she heard of it, writing: "I'm appalled that the same prominent figures who we've heard championing 'religious freedom' in the last couple of weeks are now bringing this bill that would effectively shut down religious freedom on any church property."

But Anglican leaders say the bill, currently before the Synod of the church, which is being held this week and next in Sydney's CBD, just aims to clarify existing doctrine.


'The church's doctrine of marriage has not changed'

The nub of the proposal, by the Religious Freedom Reference Group, chaired by Bishop Michael Stead, is that "church property must not be used for purposes which contravene the doctrines, tenets and beliefs of the diocese".

Examples given included advocacy of abortion, undertaking stem cell research, manufacturing weapons of war and "advocacy for transgender ideology (eg gender fluidity)".

Bishop Michael Stead said: "The essence of the policy is that church property should not be used for purposes which are contrary to the doctrine of the church. Because the Federal Government has changed its definition of marriage, the policy makes clear the church's doctrine of marriage has not changed and that property use scenarios relate only to man/woman marriage.


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