Australian Anglican church states it ‘declined to affirm same-sex marriage’ as conservatives break away

Archbishop says new Southern Cross diocese perplexing' as church's official position is that marriage is between a man and a woman'

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The senior bishop of the Anglican church in Australia says a breakaway diocese has been founded on perplexing" beliefs and could confuse congregations in a tragically divided world".

The Diocese of the Southern Cross was launched this week with the former Anglican archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies appointed its bishop. It is part of the global Gafcon movement which has divided the church.