Legal fight over same-sex faith as blokes not welcome in Anglican Church for getting married

A recently married, church­going couple are at the heart of an issue tearing apart the Anglican Church in Australia.

Partners Peter Grace and Peter Saunders in Armidale. Picture: Simon Scott

A recently married, church­going couple living contentedly in the mountains of northern NSW are at the heart of an issue that is currently tearing apart the Anglican Church in Australia. They’re a loving couple who ­happen to be blokes.

Peter Saunders had been the organist at St Mary’s, a tiny Anglican parish church in Armidale, when it was discovered by the Bishop of Armidale, Rod Chiswell, that he had married Peter Grace, who was also a member of the parish.

“We were told that we would be going to hell and that we weren’t welcome in the church,” Mr Saunders said. He was told that if he wanted to continue as the church organist, he’d have to divorce his husband.

“They take a very literal view of the Bible,” Mr Saunders said. “But if we took that course, we’d still be burning people at the stake and stoning adulterers.”

Peter Grace and Peter Saunders at home in Armidale. Picture: Simon Scott

The tiny congregation of St Mary’s was outraged at the treatment of the two men and, led by 96-year-old World War II veteran, Thelma McCarthy, it launched legal action against their bishop and the diocese.

Ms McCarthy recently died, but the legal action lives on and early next month, at a hearing before the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, the bishop and the two Peters will attend a compulsory mediation.

This issue of gay marriage has split the Anglican Church in Australia, with the former archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, launching a splinter church called the Diocese of Southern Cross, in the hope of attracting Anglican ­parishioners who disagree with liberal bishops who support progressive ideals such as gay marriage and female clergy.

“I think you’ll see the Diocese of the Southern Cross will have a significant impact,” Bishop Davies said this week. “It will send shivers down the spines of some bishops in the Anglican Church of Australia.”

Mr Saunders said this split in the Anglican Church had been happening for a long time. “And now it is time to get the settlement done,” he said.

“This divorce has happened. Let’s get on with life.”

He is hopeful that if the conservatives move to the new church, the Diocese of Southern Cross, that will allow him to return to the Anglican Church that had previously accepted him.

“We’re just wanting to be part of a liberal church that spreads the gospel and that loves everyone, regardless of where they are on their journey,” he said.

At the moment, most of the former St Mary’s congregation, including Mr Saunders and his husband, is now worshipping at the Uniting Church in Armidale.

“The Christian faith is all about love and graciousness,” Mr Saunders said.