wfn.org | ACNS3454 Archbishop of Canterbury expresses sadness at New

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3454	     |		 LAMBETH PALACE 
	    |		 29 MAY 2003	

Archbishop of Canterbury expresses sadness at New Westminster decision

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has expressed his sadness
and disquiet at the move by the diocese of New Westminster in the Anglican
Church of Canada to authorise services of blessings for same-sex unions in
some parishes. 

"As the recent Primates' meeting made clear, the public liturgy of the Church
expresses the mind of the Church on doctrinal matters and there is nothing
approaching a consensus in support of same-sex unions. 

"In taking this action and ignoring the considerable reservations of the
Church, repeatedly expressed and most recently by the Primates, the diocese
has gone significantly further than the teaching of the Church or pastoral
concern can justify and I very much regret the inevitable tension and
division that will result from this development." 

For the Primate of Canada's statement please visit 
http://anglican.ca/news/ans/ans.html?ansItem=2003-05-29_a.ans%20

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