Reference 21 October 2019
Referral to the Appellate Tribunal at the request of the 25 Members of General Synod
Blessing of persons married according to the Marriage Act 1961 Regulations 2019 (Diocese of Wangaratta)
On 14 October 2019 the Primate received a request from 25 members of General Synod that he refer questions to the Appellate Tribunal in relation to the Blessing of Persons Married According to the Marriage Act 1961 Regulations 2019 (Diocese of Wangaratta)
On 21 October 2019 the Primate referred to the Appellate Tribunal the following questions:
- Whether the use of the form of service at Appendix A to the Blessing of Persons Married According to the Marriage Act 1961 Regulations 2019 made by the Synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta to bless a civil marriage which involved a union other than between one man and one woman, is consistent with the doctrine of this Church and consistent with the Fundamental Declarations and Ruling Principles in the Constitution of the Anglican Church of Australia.
- Whether the use of any other form of service, purportedly made in accordance with section 5 of the Canon Concerning Services 1992, to bless a civil marriage which involved a union other than between one man and one woman is consistent with the doctrine of this Church and consistent with the Fundamental Declarations and Ruling Principles in the Constitution of the Anglican Church of Australia.
- Whether, in light of the determinations to be made in Questions 1 & 2, the Regulations are validly made pursuant to the Canon Concerning Services 1992.
Notification of Proceedings
On 7 November 2019 the Appellate Tribunal issued the Notification of Proceedings and Preliminary Directions.
This matter is to be held concurrently with the Primate’s Reference to the Appellate Tribunal dated 5 September 2019.
All information and documentation relating to both References will be published on the Appellate Tribunal Current Matters page on General Synod website in the section dealing with the Reference of 5 September 2019.