wfn.org | Official Statement of the Anglican Church of Canada

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ACNS 3840     |     CANADA     |     3 JUNE 2004

Official Press Statement from General Synod 2004 of the Anglican Church
of Canada

St. Catharines, Ont. (June 2)

The Anglican Church of Canada has deferred a decision on the blessing of
same-sex unions for another three years to allow a review by the
Primate's Theological Commission.

General Synod, the church's highest governing body, voted Wednesday
evening to ask the commission to determine whether the blessing of
same-sex unions is a matter of doctrine and to report to the Council of
General Synod by its spring 2006 meeting. It also called on the council
to distribute its report to each province, diocese and the House of
Bishops for consideration. The matter would then return to the next
meeting of the General Synod in 2007.

The Archbishop of Canterbury's Commission on the blessing of same-sex
unions is also expected to issue its report later this year.

At the start of Wednesday's evening's session, General Synod's more than
300 delegates faced a five-part resolution dealing with the blessings.
In moving the resolution, the Revd Alan Perry of the Diocese of Montreal
said the Council of General Synod had worked on it for many hours. The
subject had also been "discussed and debated in every corner of the
country and every corner of the world."

Four of the parts dealing with dialogue and the study of human sexuality
were quickly approved. It was part two, affirming the authority and
jurisdiction of any diocesan synod, with the concurrence of its bishop,
to authorise the blessing of committed same-sex unions that was most
controversial. Synod members voted to deal with this separately and
eventually agreed to send it to the Theological Commission.

The Rt Revd Fred Hiltz, the Bishop of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward
Island, said the motion provided an opportunity for the question to be
determined and allowed further discussion in dioceses "with the hope
that it will be decided."

Archdeacon Pat Johnston of the Diocese of Ottawa asked, "What are we
afraid of at this time and how long will we have to wait?"

In a debate that remained civil and respectful, some delegates wanted a
"decision now" while others, especially native members, wanted more time
for study.

There were still 16 people at the microphones waiting to speak when the
vote was called. The motion to send the issue to the Theological
Commission passed with 142 clergy and lay votes for and 118 against; 22
bishops voted for and 12 against.

Debate on another motion by the Revd Canon Garth Bulmer of the Diocese
of Ottawa who wanted the addition of "Affirm the integrity and sanctity
of committed adult same-sex relationships" to the resolution was
adjourned until today [Thursday] to allow more time for discussion.

Canon Bulmer, whose congregation includes a number of gays and lesbians,
said he did not wish to return to his parish without "something for
them."

The motion approved Wednesday affirmed:

That despite deeply-held convictions on both sides of the same-sex
blessings issue, "we commit ourselves to strive for that communion into
which Christ continually calls us"
The value of continued dialogues
The principle of respect for the way in which dialogue takes place in
"indigenous and various other communities within our church"
The principle that the Anglican Church includes all baptised people and
the importance of maintaining fellowship and unity "including provision
of adequate episcopal oversight and pastoral care for all"
The Anglican General Synod is the church's highest governing and
legislative body. It is made up of lay people, deacons, priests and
bishops elected from each of the church's 30 dioceses and meets every
three years. It has been meeting in the Southern Ontario city since 28
May.

The synod will end tomorrow with the installation of a new Primate, the
Most Revd Andrew Hutchison, the Archbishop of Montreal.

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