A select sampling of statements after the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster approved a liturgy of blessing for committed couples in same-sex relationships.

"We have voted not to compel but to permit: To permit those parishes that wish to celebrate permanent, intimate, loving relationships between persons of the same-sex to do so in recognition of the God-given goodness of their sacred mutual commitments; and to permit those parishes who stand in continuity with the historic practice of the church, and with biblical truth as they sincerely believe it, to do so without compulsion, with full protection of conscience and with the pastoral support of episcopal ministry."
— Bishop Michael Ingham, Diocese of New Westminster

http://www.anglican.ca/news/ann/ann.html"annItem=2002-06-15_ann3d0bb2cf015a6.ann

Dissent on display
"In accordance with our obedience to the authority of Scripture, the moral tradition of the catholic Church, the teaching of the Anglican Communion and the dictate of our conscience, we dissent from the resolution of the synod of the diocese of New Westminster in it authorization of the blessing of same-sex unions. We cannot support the synod and its bishop in their defiance of those values of the Church we uphold.

"We abhor the disunity which this schismatic act of synod has created..."
— Nine parishes separate from the synod’s decision

http://www.prayerbook.ca/cann/2002/06/cann0416.html

Bishops’ gambit
"We regret the decision of the diocese of New Westminster to move independently toward the blessing of same-sex unions.

"We believe the decision of the diocese of New Westminster to be in conflict with the moral teaching of Holy Scripture and the tradition of the universal church... It can only cause confusion for a local expression of the church to purport to bless that which Anglicans globally and nationally have decided they cannot bless...

"We call on all Anglicans to be loyal to Scripture, and to work patiently for reconciliation, and the due order and discipline of the Church."
— Statement from 13 Canadian Anglican bishops

http://www.prayerbook.ca/cann/2002/06/cann0422.html

A word from the top
"I recognize that this development will create tension within the diocese, the province and the communion. All the same, I recognize, and ask you to respect, the authority of the bishop and synod within the Diocese of New Westminster."
— Archbishop Michael Peers, Primate of Canada

http://www.anglican.ca/news/online/news.html"newsItem=2002-06-16_mp.news

And from higher still
"My own position in relation to same-sex relationships is well-known. I stand firmly by the resolution passed at the Lambeth Conference. For this, I have been criticized as homophobic. I am not. But I do not accept that homosexual relationships can be treated as being on a par with the man-woman ideal portrayed in Holy Scripture.

"It saddens me deeply that any diocese should be following a course at odds with the Lambeth Conference resolution... At the same time, I am sorry to learn that some walked out of the Synod debate following the result and I am alarmed by the statements of those who appear to be determined to look elsewhere for episcopal oversight in place of the extended episcopal support which Bishop Ingham has offered."
— Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey

http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/releases/020618.htm

Dissidents
"On the matter of our walking out of the meeting of synod last Saturday, we want to clarify that we withdrew in response to what we regarded as an illegal and schismatic action. We have not left the diocese of New Westminster."
— The Rev. Dr. Trevor Walters, chair, Essentials clergy

http://www.prayerbook.ca/cann/2002/06/cann0439.html

To read the full story on the New Westminster decision, click here