While supporting legal protection for same-sex relationships, Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn Stuart Robinson told the annual synod of his diocese he remains committed to the traditional Christian view that marriage is ordained by God between a man and a woman.
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In his address yesterday to the synod, meeting in Goulburn, Bishop Robinson said resolutions of the General Synod of the Church in Australia had consistently supported marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, based on scripture.
''Personally, I continue to observe that perceived discrimination against people in same-gender relationships is more adequately addressed through state recognition of civil partnerships,'' he said. ''I also appreciate that public discussion of these complex matters can sometimes lead to significant pastoral issues, better handled at parish level.''
On Australia's recent change to the treatment of asylum seekers, Bishop Robinson said a compassionate response must also take into account measures to discourage people risking their lives by taking dangerous sea crossings. Two other ethical questions were the fairness of the process and the proximity of the need.
''I do have concerns that the new arrangements may dilute Australia's responsibility for the well-being of asylum seekers,'' he said.
''Prolonged, indeterminate detention in immigration detention centres has been shown to have adverse impacts on the health of asylum seekers and to contribute to mental illness. It is hoped, as has been promised, that arrangements are put in place to ensure that errors of the past will not be repeated.''
Despite diminishing church attendance, Bishop Robinson said there were signs of health.
''Compared to five years ago, more church members than ever are involved in a whole range of community groups associated with our churches. The number of church members involved in such groups has grown from 61 per cent to 65 per cent since 2006.''
