"I don't think it is divisive," he said of his own views. "I think the people who have brought in the innovations are often divisive.

"If they were really concerned about unity they wouldn't have brought in the innovations which they know will be resisted on conscientious grounds."

More Christians were attending church on any given Sunday in the Third World, primarily Africa, than the rest of the Western world combined.

"Because those churches were founded by missions, and mainly evangelical missions, of course there is a strong preponderance of biblical or evangelical Christians in the global south and they are very impressive."

Jensen said the Church should not be in the business of conforming to popular cultural trends, but rather teaching the Bible.

"There are certain patterns or styles of life which are not in accordance with Christian teaching.

"Such patterns of life, such as a gay pattern of life ... are the same as adultery, (the) same as greediness, and are not consistent with Christian living," he said.

"We won't disintegrate if we stay faithful to the teaching of the Bible. That's our business ... That's written into our documents, or at least in Australia it is, and I presume it is here."

Jensen said the issue of ordaining women into the priesthood was one of "order rather than salvation" and that some dioceses in parts of Australia had gone in that direction.

"In the diocese from which I am, we don't have women priests. We only have women deacons and we have many women in ministry."

The different direction taken by some Australian churches "has loosened our fellowship a little bit, but it has not broken it".

He said the Sydney synod of clergy had always rejected women priests on scriptural grounds.

Jensen said he had twice read The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown's best-selling novel which is being released soon as a film starring Tom Hanks. "I'm going to see the movie," he said of the story in which Jesus does not die on the cross and goes on to marry and have children.

"It is an ideal opportunity for us to talk about Jesus. It has many demonstrable errors ... but the extraordinary interest in it shows Jesus is alive and well."

END

CHRIST CHURCH, NZ: Women sit in silent protest

May 15, 2006

Women clergy sat in the front rows of Christchurch Cathedral wearing rainbow "Celebrate Diversity" stickers last night in protest against the views of the outspoken Archbishop of Sydney.

Visiting Archbishop Peter Jensen, known for his opposition to the ordination of women and gays as priests, was preaching at the service which drew a crowd of hundreds, despite the freezing rain.

About 10 women clergy from the Christchurch diocese were present.

"We are making the point that all are welcome in God's house," said Rev Jenni Carter, who was ordained in 1999.

"The church is diverse and women are part of it. If Jensen wants to read it from a patriarchal male point of view, of course he'll read it like that."

Rev Mary Giles said there was no plan to heckle Jensen, but the women would raise their opinions with him after the service if an opportunity arose.

"We celebrate the whole breadth of God's love here," she said.

The women said everyone was created by God and their sexuality was part of that creation. Carter said the women were also gathering at the Cathedral to support Associate Dean Diana Rattray.

END