Grenfell Uniting Church Rejects Gay Priests

At a special meeting held on Sunday the Grenfell Uniting Church Congregation unanimously rejected any notion that the Uniting Church ordain clergy who are living in gay relationships.  Last Thursday the national assembly of the Church in Melbourne passed a resolution that there could arise the situation where a gay person may seek ordination or appointment as a minister.  Whilst the resolution stated that such matters would need dealing on a case-by-case basis, scores of Uniting Church members across Australian have been distressed by this resolution.

Grenfell Uniting Church Minister, Rev Charles Vesely explained that the issue cuts deeper than a simple question about gay leadership in the church, but seeks to undermine Christian teaching as revealed in the Bible.  “The resolution speaks about differences of interpretation on the Scriptures regarding sexual morality, however, if one carefully and honestly examines the relevant texts they will plainly see that certain behaviours are not edifying for the people of God.”  

The meeting affirmed that whilst they have no desire to cut ties with the national body of the Uniting Church in Australia, they did will strongly voice their objections in the various councils of the church.  Mr David Walker, Grenfell Uniting Congregation Chairperson and representative on the church’s Central West Presbytery stated, “The grassroots members are most distressed about this and need to have a voice that is loud and clear.”

David Walker and Charles Vesely discuss the Uniting Church Assembly papers