Media Releases

FCANZ submission to Working Group

4 October 2016

The General Synod of our Church resolved in May to establish a Working Group to identify “possible structural arrangements within our Three-Tikanga Church to safeguard both theological convictions concerning the blessing of same gender relationships”. While the composition of this Working Group is yet to be named, suggestions of structural arrangements were to be in the hands of the Working Party by 1st October.

The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand was pleased to make a submission. Regretfully, we are unconvinced that a single structure can safeguard both theological convictions with integrity, and so have suggested that the best way forward for our Church is the creation of an extra-provincial diocese.

Such a diocese will be distinct from the current ecclesiastical structures of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia, and will be authentically Anglican. A number of extra-provincial dioceses exist globally, and are all recognised as being genuine expressions of Anglicanism. The existence of two ecclesiastical structures within the same geographic location has occurred in Europe for a number of years and provides a model for a similar overlapping within these islands.

Either theological conviction could make use of an extra-provincial diocese, and the FCANZ submission suggests that whoever adopts this structure retains their current assets and resources. Most significantly, the formation of such a structure will ensure that both theological convictions can be held with integrity, and that no one will be required to teach doctrine, or submit to authority, which differs from their theological conviction on the issue of blessing same-gendered relationships.

See a copy of the submission here

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Audiophile

"No change" decision met with grateful thanks

14 May 2016

General Synod/Te Hinota WhaÂnau ended on Thursday evening. It decided to put on hold, for two years, any decision about the œA Way Forward report. The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans New Zealand (FCANZ) is grateful that no changes were made to the doctrine, practice, or constitution of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia.

We recognise that deciding to delay the recommendations within the report was extraordinarily difficult for some within our Province. "We are humbled by the effort and energy of all General Synod representatives when considering this potentially divisive issue. We are especially thankful that the unity we share in Christ can continue to be expressed within our province" said FCANZ Chairman, Rev Jay Behan.

FCANZ will continue to work together with all those within the Anglican Communion to proclaim the Gospel. "Despite our differences, together we will promote the good news of Jesus Christ, humbly offering to all the invitation of Jesus to deny self, take up our cross and follow him" he concluded.

FCANZ has a dual mission: to promote faithfulness, and provide fellowship.

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FCANZ recognises WHCC as Authentically Anglican

20 April 2016 [updated]

The Anglican Future Conference concluded with delegates hearing from Rev. David Short (St John'™s Vancouver) and Rev. Michael and Kimberley Hewat (West Hamilton Community Church). Both spoke of their experiences of being excluded from existing Anglican structures due to their stand against doctrinal change.

In his final address FCANZ chairman, Rev. Jay Behan, on behalf of the Board, honoured Rev. Michael and Kimberley Hewat and the church at West Hamilton for their stand for the truth. He said "we rejoice in our fellowship with you, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you in gospel ministry, and we recognise you as authentically Anglican."

He continued to stress that FCANZ is not advocating splitting from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, and will promote faithfulness to the gospel with grace and truth, and provide fellowship to all orthodox Anglicans both in and outside of existing Anglican structures.

The Chairman'™s remarks were met with acclamation by the Conference.

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‹500 Anglicans Gather as FCANZ Launches in New Zealand

18 April 2016

Nearly 500 Anglicans from around New Zealand, including the Vicars of many larger churches, have met together this week at two conferences in Auckland and Christchurch to launch the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans NZ (FCANZ). FCANZ is a local expression of the Gafcon movement, and a message of support was read out at the conferences from Most Rev Dr Eliud Wabukala, Chair of the Gafcon Primates. Video greetings were also received from Most Rev Foley Beach (Primate of ACNA) and the Rt Rev Richard Condie (Bishop of Tasmania and Chair of FCA Australia). Rev Canon Vaughan Roberts (St Ebbe's, Oxford) gave 4 talks on True Gospel, True Sex, True Love and True Unity, and was joined by Rev Canon David Short (Vancouver), Dr Peter Adam (Melbourne), Rev. Dr. Sarah Harris (Auckland) and others.

The formation of FCANZ has been in response to the passing of Motion 30 in 2014 and the subsequent release of the A Way Forward Report, due to be presented to the General Synod of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia next month. The report proposes the blessing of same-sex civil marriages thereby rendering them as "rightly- ordered" relationships opening up the possibility for those in them to be accepted as candidates for ordination.

Rev Jay Behan, Chair of FCANZ, said "This week has been a hugely significant moment for orthodox Anglicans in New Zealand. FCANZ is committed to promoting faithfulness and providing fellowship, and orthodox Anglicans now know that through the FCANZ there is a place for all orthodox Anglicans in New Zealand, whether they are inside or outside the current Anglican structures. We continue to pray that General Synod will pull back from making a decision which will tear the fabric of the communion, undermining the allegiance to General Synod for many Anglicans in New Zealand."

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Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans

New Zealand.

Promoting Faithfulness. Providing Fellowship.