wfn.org | ACNS - Ottawa may consider same-sex blessings

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 3058 - CANADA - 15 July 2002

Ottawa may consider same-sex blessings

by Solange De Santis

[The Anglican Church of Canada] Ottawa is expected to be the next Anglican
diocese in Canada to consider allowing parishes to bless same-sex
relationships, after the diocese of New Westminster in June approved such
blessings.

Revd Garth Bulmer, rector of St John the Evangelist church in downtown
Ottawa, said he intends to introduce a motion at the diocesan synod, to be
held Oct 18-19, that reads, "Be it resolved that this synod ask the bishop
of Ottawa to authorise requesting parishes to bless same-sex unions."

Recognising that committed homosexual relationships are blessed by God is a
"fairly urgent pastoral need" in his parish, said Canon Bulmer in an
interview.

"I know this parish is ready to do it. We have quite a large constituency of
gay people. I am asked to do this on a regular basis," he said. In fact,
Canon Bulmer did perform a same-sex blessing several years ago, leading
then-bishop John Baycroft to issue a letter that threatened clergy with
dismissal if they performed such ceremonies. Canon Bulmer, who was not
dismissed, said he was never able to engage Bishop Baycroft in a discussion
of the matter.

The current bishop of Ottawa, Peter Coffin, said he had seen Canon Bulmer's
resolution and was "a little bit surprised" by it. The motion would usually
go to a resolution committee - which hasn't yet been formed - before
presentation on the floor of synod, he said.

In the background information that Canon Bulmer prepared to support the
motion, he noted that "this resolution does not ask synod to approve of the
blessing of same-sex unions or even to approve of the relationships
themselves." It continues, "it may be that there are some parishes and
delegates who do not. Such persons, in approving this motion, are not
consenting to either but rather giving their consent to parishes wishing to
do so to proceed (with the bishop's permission)."

In the interview, Canon Bulmer noted that St John the Evangelist is known as
an "open and affirming parish" for gay people and a couple dozen gay
parishioners are active in all areas of ministry. The parish, which includes
the Parliament Hill and counts many civil servants among its parishioners,
is known for taking an active stand on social issues. It offers a gay pride
Eucharist on Sunday 14 July and sponsors Sudanese refugees, said Canon
Bulmer.

St John is also developing relationship counselling for homosexual couples,
similar to that offered to heterosexual couples contemplating marriage, he
said.

The same-sex blessings issue isn't personal for Canon Bulmer, who is married
with two sons, but he said he feels strongly about it since "it is a very,
very important issue for this parish."

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