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New Reference Group Opinion

The Book of Order and Judicial Reference Group recently provided an opinion that interprets the Church's policy on gay ministers.

The policy of the Presbyterian Church is that: practising homosexuals should not be licensed, ordained or inducted as ministers and elders in the Presbyterian Church. As an exception to that policy, Presbyterian ministers and elders who were practising homosexuals and in good standing in 1996 are not affected by the policy.

The Reference Group said that "if a minister who was a practising homosexual in 1996, was compelled to serve the rest of their ministry in one parish, unlike the rest of the ministry, their status as ministers was being prejudiced."

The Group's unanimous opinion was provided during the call from St Andrews on the Terrace in Wellington to the Rev Dr Margaret Mayman of Christchurch. Dr Mayman will take up her new position in February this year.