'No-brainer': Sydney Anglicans vote in support of allowing domestic violence survivors to remarry

From Australia-

In a historic moment for the Sydney Anglican Church, and the latest in a series of small victories for Christian survivors of domestic violence, the synod has for the first time voted in favour of allowing divorced survivors of abuse to remarry.


In a secret ballot held on Tuesday night the diocesan synod voted 325-161 in favour of a motion requesting that bishops consider "approving the remarriage of a divorced person, where that person has been abused physically or emotionally by their former spouse".

It was first put to a vote on voices but, because it was too close to call, a ballot was collected — the results of which revealing more support for the motion than synod members had been prepared to show in public.

It had taken 34 years of deliberation.

More here-

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-24/sydney-anglicans-support-allowing-dv-survivors-divorce-remarry/10425230

Punishing pastors - Anglican bishop calls for PM's intervention after RGD institutes charge to register clergy as marriage officers

From Jamaica-

Several pastors across the island could surrender their marriage officer's licences in protest of a decision by the Registrar General's Department (RGD) to charge them $10,000 to register, plus an annual registration fee.

The pastors are also upset about an invitation by the RGD for all marriage officers to attend a training session that costs a further $15,000.

The Reverend Dr Howard Gregory, Anglican bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, raised the issue last week in an open letter to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, seeking clarification.

According to Gregory, attempts to get answers or a resolution have so far been met with promises to look into the matter and, at times, the lack of courtesy of a response.

"He needs to say something as to exactly what is the position of the Government in relation to what is being done in relation to marriage officers, particularly ministers, at this time," argued Gregory.

More here-

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20180625/punishing-pastors-anglican-bishop-calls-pms-intervention-rgd

Vatican asks for wide input on 2015 synod, not based on doctrine

From National Catholic Reporter-

For the second time in two years, the Vatican has asked national bishops' conferences around the world to seek input from Catholics at "all levels" about how the church should respond to sometimes difficult questions of modern family life, such as divorce and remarriage.

Issuing a document in preparation for a second worldwide meeting of Catholic bishops on family life next year, the Vatican has also stressed the need for mercy in responding to such difficult situations -- even asking the bishops to avoid basing their pastoral care solely on current Catholic doctrine.

The call for input came Tuesday in a document released by the Vatican's Office for the Synod of Bishops, which in October 2015 will to host the second of two global bishops' meetings called by Pope Francis for 2014 and 2015.

More here-

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/vatican-asks-wide-input-2015-synod-not-based-doctrine