Gay-supporting bishop could split Anglicans

A Canadian woman bishop who has signalled support for blessing gay marriages is being confirmed as Christchurch's new Anglican bishop.

The move is likely to stir controversy among many Anglicans and there is still a chance that Victoria Matthews' appointment could be vetoed by the general synod, which incudes representatives from Polynesia.

Church sources said yesterday that Dr Matthews, a former bishop of Edmonton, was two-thirds of the way through the ratification process.

News of her election was leaked on the Internet on Friday. Church leaders refused to confirm the report yesterday but the Archbishop of Aotearoa, David Moxon, said it was "disappointing" someone had leaked the name of the candidate in what was supposed to be a top-secret process.

Dr Matthews' election will be controversial for some Anglicans, as her sex and her comments about gay marriage are likely to upset conservatives.

She has twice been in the running for primate of the Anglican Church in Canada, the highest post in the country, but had to withdraw in 2004 when she had breast cancer, and lost out in 2007.

In 2004 she chaired the Task Force on Alternate Episcopal Oversight, which looked at the question of same-sex marriage in Canada. She voted in favour of a resolution stating "the blessing of same-sex unions is not in conflict with the core doctrine of the Anglican Church", but voted against permitting those blessings.

Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera Mike Hawke said her approach seemed to be "a bob each way".

London's Guardian newspaper, which was the source of the leak, reported that Dr Matthews had beaten Englishman Colin Slee, dean of Southwark Cathedral, for the Christchurch post.

Archdeacon Hawke said looking overseas for a candidate was "typical of New Zealand culture".

"The person in front of our eyes is never good enough and we look for a great saviour from outside."

It was "not impossible" her election could be vetoed, he said. It still had to be approved by the wider church, including Polynesian members who were more traditional.

- © Fairfax NZ News