Tag Archives: same-sex marriage

Diocese of Central Newfoundland to ignore marriage canon vote

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The Synod of the Diocese of Central Newfoundland has voted to proceed with same-sex marriage.

The presence of “a queer Anglican” from the Diocese of Huron may give the appearance of bias to the whole proceedings but I expect there was representation from the Zacchaeus Fellowship for balance. Or maybe not.

Here is an updated list of dioceses that will marry same-sex couples:
Diocese of Central Newfoundland
Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador
Diocese of Western Newfoundland
Diocese of New Westminster
Diocese of Toronto
Diocese of Niagara
Diocese of Montreal
Diocese of Ottawa
Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Diocese of Rupert’s Land
Diocese of Kootenay
Diocese of Edmonton
Diocese of B.C.
Diocese of Huron

Bishop of Toronto pontificates on same sex marriage

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Since General Synod failed to pass a motion approving same-sex marriage, Bishop Andrew Asbil is advocating taking a pastoral rather than legislative approach to marrying same-sex couples. In other words, full steam ahead with same-sex marriage, legislation be damned. Had the reverse been the case, I doubt that he would be advising a pastoral approach to prohibiting same-sex marriages.

Naturally, he takes great pains to reassure recalcitrants who stubbornly cling to a Biblical version of marriage that they will still be welcome in the Anglican organisation. But does anyone with a functioning prefrontal cortex believe him? Do you really think that when Harry and Jim show up on a conservative priest’s doorstep, demand that he marry them, and sue him because he refuses that the Diocese of Toronto will pay his punitive legal fees? No, me neither.

Is that an earring in Asbil’s lower left auricle?

Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador to ignore marriage canon vote

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At its latest synod, the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador has voted to marry same-sex couples or, as the article below would have it “has voted in favor of marriage equality.”

The Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador has voted in favor of marriage equality.

Last July, the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada voted against marriage equality within the Anglican marriage canon. However, the motion can be voted on at the provincial level as well.

The vote happened during NL Synod 2019 at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s earlier today.

In total 88 per cent of Anglican delegates in attendance voted in favor of affirming marriage equality.

127 votes were cast, with 112 people in favor and 15 against.

Reverend Dr. Geoffrey Peddle, Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador, says that in voting for marriage equality they have made the church bigger and inclusive for everyone.

He says the Diocese has made it very clear that this is who they are now and how they want to move forward.

At least Peddle is clear that “this is who they now are”. They are not the Bride of Christ, not the Body of Christ, not the ecclesia – a called out assembly, not members of the church universal. They are a group of people who marry same-sex couples: this is who they are now.

Here is an updated list of dioceses that will marry same-sex couples:
Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador
Diocese of Western Newfoundland
Diocese of New Westminster
Diocese of Toronto
Diocese of Niagara
Diocese of Montreal
Diocese of Ottawa
Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Diocese of Rupert’s Land
Diocese of Kootenay
Diocese of Edmonton
Diocese of B.C.
Diocese of Huron

Ripples of Anglican angst

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The Anglican Church of Canada has placed itself in the odd position of protesting that not everything it does is coloured by obsessive homoerotism while at the same time claiming that the entire province is reeling in shocked disbelief that the marriage canon change failed to pass at synod.

The reality is that dioceses that want to marry same sex couples are doing so regardless of the vote so it makes no practical difference, and the average person in the pew is indifferent to the all the theatrical antics because he is too old and set in his ways to contemplate whether copulating with someone of the same sex is even possible or worth the attempt, let alone whether the church approves of it.

From here:

Marriage vote failure ripples through church

General Synod’s failure to pass a resolution to amend the marriage canon to expressly allow solemnization of same-sex marriage, followed by a communiqué from the House of Bishops effectively commending diocesan-based decisions on the matter, has triggered a wave of responses across the Anglican Church of Canada. Bishops, priests, laity, officers and deacons alike have weighed in with concerns about the decision. Some bishops, including then-Primate-elect Linda Nicholls in her capacity as bishop of Huron, have outlined plans to exercise a “local option” for same sex marriage in their dioceses.

[…..]

The initial announcement of the vote results left many synod members visibly in shock, with some crying. Almost immediately, delegates approached the microphones and asked about the process by which General Synod could reconsider a vote. But Primate Fred Hiltz, acknowledging the “pain in this place,” soon moved to dismiss synod for the night.

The emotional upheaval caused by the results led to official statements from all levels of the church. First to respond on July 15 was the House of Bishops, whose members had played the decisive role in voting against the motion. 

Diocese of Athabasca will abide by Marriage Canon vote

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The Diocese of Athabasca is one of the few dioceses that is taking the failed vote to change the Marriage Canon seriously: it will not be marrying same-sex couples.

The diocese has also stated that the “Word to the Church” resolution, which did pass, is not an endorsement of a local option; most other bishops have the opposite view. Confusion and ambiguity walking together.

From here:

The one item of discussion that drew most of the attention and energy was the second reading of proposed changes to Canon XXl (the Marriage Canon). A change to this canon requires passage by a 2/3 majority in each of the orders (laity, clergy, and bishops) voting separately at two successive general synods. The proposed change achieved this in 2016 and thus was presented for the second time on July 12th. The resolution failed to pass in the Order of Bishops and was therefore defeated. This means the canon has not changed, and the church did not decide to part ways with the church’s doctrine. As had been foreseen, both the consideration and decision were very difficult and brought pain to those involved and those affected. The day before the resolution was considered, a “Word to the Church” from the Council of General Synod was adopted by the meeting, and this was reflected in a statement issued from the bishops on the Monday following the vote. These both recognize that we do not have unity in our thinking about marriage, understanding of scripture, or pastoral response. These also indicate a commitment to work together and to treat one another with dignity. These statements include an acknowledgement that some bishops, with their dioceses, have chosen to allow for some expression of same-sex marriage (what has been called “local option”). While some have interpreted this as affirmation or endorsement of “local option”, this is not accurate. The Diocese of Athabasca will continue to live within the bounds of the current canon and doctrine of the Church Catholic. While doing so, it is with the expectation that every person who comes to the church or who we encounter is treated with grace and honour. All who wish to live as disciples of Jesus are welcome as part of our Christian family.

Pastoral statements from the Dioceses of Central Newfoundland and Algoma

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Mainline churches used to fear the Charismatic movement because of what they considered overly emotional displays seen during worship. Just as the liberal church has stolen much of the language of successful conservative churches – as if success is somehow embodied in the language – so, finally, liberals have appropriated Charismatic emotionalism. Except the emotions are throbbing waves of shock, pain, deep hurt, sobbing, anger, frustration, confusion and fear as you can read in the following pastoral statements. Along with enough hand-wringing, cloying, obsequious, grovelling apologies to be the envy of Uriah Heep.

Central Newfoundland’s  complete statement is here:

And Algoma’s complete statement is here:

Neither diocese has decided to proceed with same-sex marriage yet but, from these statements, it seem likely that they will. Among the many absurdities in the statements we find the inevitable “walking together”. Just as it is physically and spiritually impossible for two people of the same sex to marry, so it is physically impossible for two people to “walk together” when they are going in different directions.

Perhaps the bishops are relying on quantum entanglement to remain connected with each other as they drift further into the abyss.

The local chandelier option

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From here:

A British woman says she has several love interests, but none of them can hold a candle to Lumiere — a 91-year-old chandelier she plans to marry, according to a report.

Normally this would not be of much interest on an Anglican blog but, since the passing of resolution A101 at General Synod, our bishops have made it reasonably clear that if the canons do not explicitly prohibit a particular form of marriage, then a diocesan bishop is at liberty to concoct “authorized liturgies for the solemnization of”  said marriage.

Emigrate to Canada Amanda Liberty, I’m sure you will be able to find a bishop to have you matrimonially swinging from your chandelier in no time.

Diocese of Huron will ignore Marriage Canon vote

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Since Bishop Linda Nicholls has made the career jump to Primate, she won’t be the Bishop of the Diocese of Huron for much longer. As a parting gift, she is authorising same sex marriages in the diocese. Or perhaps she is hammering the final nail in the diocesan coffin.

From here:

Given the strong support in Huron for this possibility, as of August 1, 2019, I am authorizing the availability of marriage to same-sex couples as a pastoral local option under the following guidelines:

1. Same-sex marriages will be permitted in parishes where the priest and the Parish Council have considered this matter and agreed that the parish will do so.
2. Any parish desiring to do so will write a letter to the Bishop requesting permission – signed by the priest (rector/incumbent) and the Wardens and including a description of the consideration taken by the Parish Council.
3. No parish is required to offer same-sex marriage in their location.
4. Clergy already have provision by canon to refuse to perform a marriage for reasons of conscience.
As this is a pastoral local option it is at the discretion of the diocesan bishop. It is an option that I believe is appropriate for the Diocese of Huron at this time and is supported by many, though not all, in the diocese. I am however aware that I will be the Bishop of Huron for only a short time longer. This may be a consideration in the discernment of the next Bishop of Huron. I pray that the diocese will recognize that the work of the bishop is much broader than this issue.

Diocese of Kootenay will ignore Marriage Canon vote

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From here:

Rev. Dr. Lynne McNaughton, elected as Bishop to the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay, to which Cranbrook belongs, earlier this year, will also be issuing a joint statement with other bishops who have affirmed all of this. Additionally, she will be going ahead to authorize same-gender marriage within the Diocese of the Kootenay.

Updated list of dioceses that will marry same-sex couples:
Diocese of New Westminster
Diocese of Toronto
Diocese of Niagara
Diocese of Montreal
Diocese of Ottawa
Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Diocese of Rupert’s Land
Diocese of Kootenay
Diocese of Edmonton
Diocese of B.C.
Diocese of Huron

Diocese of New Westminster will ignore Marriage Canon vote

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Bishop Melissa Skelton has announced that the diocese will proceed with same-sex marriages.

Up until now, the diocese did not permit the marriage of same sex-couples because it was waiting for the result of the 2019 Synod vote. Now the synod has voted “no” to same-sex marriage, the diocese is proceeding anyway. That is what passes for rational thinking in the Anglican Church of Canada.

As far as I know, these are the dioceses that will marry same-sex couples:

Diocese of New Westminster
Diocese of Toronto
Diocese of Niagara
Diocese of Montreal
Diocese of Ottawa
Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Diocese of Rupert’s Land
Diocese of Kootenay
Diocese of Edmonton
Diocese of B.C.
Diocese of Huron
Please let me know if I have missed one.

From here:

As of August 1, 2019 , I will authorize a liturgy for the marriage of same-sex couples within the Diocese of New Westminster under the following conditions:

  • that the priest wishing to officiate at the marriage make a request of me to use that liturgy and work in consultation with me in preparing to conduct that liturgy. I specify this in that I want us all to learn together as we gain experience in working with this new liturgy and in preparing same-sex couples for the sacrament of marriage.
  • that the Parish Council of any church hosting or wanting to host the marriage of same-sex couples concur with and embrace the decision for same-sex marriages to occur there, and
  • that any same-sex couple wishing to be married satisfy all the typical and important requirements for marriage (proper preparation for marriage, at least one of the couple having been baptized, that the marriage take place in a church or another public place).

I expect the first two conditions to be temporary until we as a community become familiar with this change.