Abortion on demand still opposed by Anglican Synod

Press, 5 November 1984, Page 3

Abortion on demand still opposed by Anglican Synod

The Anglican Synod in Christchurch has affirmed its opposition to abortion on demand. Its concern will be communicated to the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, and the president of the Labour Party, Ms Wilson. , Mr Dennis Veal proposed the motion in light of the almost overwhelming support for abortion expressed at this year’s Labour Party conference.

"Conception was a gift from God,” he said. “Who are we to take to another human being with a syringe, a vacuum cleaner or a knife? We should support the mother and love the child, whatever the circumstances.”

An attempt to pass the issue over to a committee for consideration and report to the next Synod failed. The Rev. Colin Brown said he was opposed to abortion on demand, but was .unhappy discussing a sensitive issue late in the day, when the Synod was about to end. The Synod voted to continue discussion and affirmed its stance on the issue. Baptism The baptism of children was debated in three motions presented to the Synod. A report on baptismal practice, prepared by a task group of the Board of Christian Education of the Diocese was commended to parishes for study and comment. The synod also asked the bishop to monitor present parochial policies to see if any guidelines for the administration of baptism were needed. The convenor of the task group, the Rev. David Rathgen, said that the group felt baptism should be only when there was a personal commitment to Christ and the Church. Parents could ask for a thanksgiving service “if they wanted their children to be recognised by the Church,” he said. However, the Rev. Kelvin Wright, of Waihao Downs, said people wanted more than that.

“A lot of parents bring a child to baptism because they don’t want the child to go to hell. The fallacy of the old theology still lives, and they say they want to be on the safe side.”

The Provincial Prayer Book Revision Commission will be asked by the Synod to consider various thanksgiving and blessing services for the birth or adoption of a child.

The Rev. Martin Warren said the Church needed to consider alternatives to baptism. Many people were not ready to move from being non-Christian to total commitment and needed to take small steps first The Provincial Board of Christian Education will be asked to provide parishes with educational material about baptism. The Rev. Ross Allen said the Church recognised the importance of helping parents to understand baptism but lacked the tools to assist them. Literature was also needed to help the increasing numbers of adults being baptised, he said. Lord’s Prayer The Synod will ask the Provincial Prayer Book Commission to reprint the traditional version of the Lord’s Prayer alongside the contemporary version in future printings of the funeral service.

The Rev. Derek Lightbourned said that many elderly people attending funerals were unfamiliar with the contemporary version, and were embarrassed when they made mistakes. “The traditional version is part of their spirituality.”

Honour A man who has given 30 years service to the Anglican Church was honoured at the Synod.

Mr Martin Dawson was Chancellor of the diocese for 14 years until 1984 and also served as a Church property trustee, a member of standing committee and a Church advocate.

The Bishop of Christchurch, the Right Rev. Maurice Goodall, presented him with an illuminated address and thanked him for his selfless knowledge, skills and wisdom.