Bishop Geoffrey Woodcroft has written to members of his diocese to say he intends to make use of the Local Option – also known as the Loophole Option – and proceed with same-sex marriages:

The Chancellor of the Anglican Church of Canada, Mr David Jones,has stated that the marriage canon does not preclude that marriage is between awoman and a man:The Anglican Church of Canada affirms, according to our Lord’s teaching as found in Holy Scripture and expressed in the Form of Solemnization of Matrimony in the Book of Common Prayer, that marriage is a lifelong union in faithful love, and that marriage vows are a commitment to this union, for better or for worse, tothe exclusion of all others on either side. This union is established by God’s grace when two duly qualified persons enter into a covenant of marriage in which they declare their intention of fulfilling its purposes and exchange vows to be faithful to oneanother until they are separated by death. The purposes of marriage are mutual fellowship, support, and comfort, and the procreation (if it may be) and nurture of children, and the creation of a relationship in which sexuality may serve personal fulfilment in a community of faithful love. This covenant is made in the sight of God and in the presence of witnesses and of an authorized minister.

At the 116th Session of the Synod of the Diocese of Rupert’s Land, held in October 2018,the group facilitating our discussions concerning the proposed change to the Marriage Canon reported that of all things discussed, our #1 priority was to nurture respectful relationships. Given that outcome, I am exercising my authority to continue the Rupert’s Land conversation that will leadto an Opt-Inpractice of Local Option in the matter of same-sex couples seeking marriage in the Anglican Church of Canada through the Diocese of Rupert’s Land, by January 1, 2020.