Archibishop Vercoe writes to the Herald

Vercoe is not issuing any further comment, apparently. I betcha transsexual MP Georgina Beyer and gay author Witi Ihimaera won't either, after slamming him.. It will be interesting to see the response of the Herald. Will let you know.

LETTER BEGINS:
Sir,

I am disappointed that my views have come across in your paper as extremist anti-gay when I am not. Nor did I use the word 'abomination' to describe gay people.
Likewise, I do not have a vision of a world without gay people. I have gay members in my own family. Their sexuality has never stopped me treating or loving them like anyone else in my family.

I do not regard the church as exclusively heterosexual. There’re many good gay members of our church who make a valuable contribution to the life of the Church.

Our church has made no decision on ordination of people in same sex relationships. We will hear from our international commission on human sexuality and complete a process of listening and study first. The will of the Church will come from that process.

I am saddened that anyone thinks I accept anti-social behaviour toward gay people. We should always be tolerant of people who are different from ourselves.

My comments on a new morality were out of context. I believe a new morality will come based on the worth of human life and will question all the usual standards.

At present we say it isn't right for an individual to kill. But we let armies go to war where they kill civilians and destroy people's homes. I believe the time is coming when that whole morality will have to be answered.


Te Whakahuihui Vercoe
Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church
in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

LETTER ENDS