A Tongan congregation has gone to court seeking ownership of a South Auckland church following a row with the Methodist hierarchy over a decision to appoint practising homosexuals as ministers.
In the High Court at Auckland yesterday Justice Mark O'Regan was told that the Otahuhu Tongan Methodist Church congregation was strongly opposed to the new gay-friendly policy introduced by the Methodists in 1997.
Most congregants of the Otahuhu church no longer wanted to be associated with the Methodist Church of New Zealand (MCNZ), the judge heard.
But when they attempted to take back the church in Fairburn Rd, Otahuhu - which they say they raised $900,000 to build - they were told that the title belonged to the MCNZ.
At one time the group was locked out of the building. Now the congregation wants Justice Mark O'Regan to rule that it is the rightful owner.
Rod Hooker, representing the group, said the MCNZ had wrongfully taken title to the church land.
Unbeknown to the plaintiffs, said Mr Hooker, the Methodist Church secretary, superintendent and solicitor had arranged for the title to be in the name of the MCNZ.
"If they had been aware ... that the NZ Methodist Church would own the land, they would not have agreed."
The hearing is expected to take six weeks.
Congregation battles for $900,000 church
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.