ChristianWeek

WINNIPEG, MB—Canadian Anglicans on all sides of the same-sex debate left disappointed and confused at the end of a five-day General Synod in Winnipeg after they determined that blessing same-sex unions are not in conflict with core doctrine, but are not to be allowed in practice.

A resolution to allow each diocese to decide for itself whether to bless such unions was defeated by a narrow margin by the bishops, despite a large majority of clergy and laity in favour.

Earlier that day, the bishops voted 21-19 in favor of the statement that same-sex unions are "not in conflict with the core doctrine (in the sense of being creedal) of the Anglican Church of Canada."

"It is a tragic day for the church," said Cheryl Chang, executive director of the Anglican Network in Canada, a conservative movement that would have sought alternative episcopal oversight if local options had been allowed.

In the face of a clearly divided synod, said Chang, "every Canadian will be left to decide for themselves" whether they agree with same-sex blessings.

Split debate

In a dim, chandeliered room on the eighth floor of the Marlborough hotel in Winnipeg, debate was split between those who heard the "call of the Spirit" to "move forward," and those who thought more time was needed to come to a theological consensus.

"We are a divided house," said Dave Edwards, from the diocese of Fredericton, in a pre-vote discussion. "We don't agree how to interpret Scripture and tradition, or on what the Holy Spirit is telling us as a church. For me, using my reason, we are not in a position to make a decision that is before us."

Many delegates supporting the resolutions told stories of loved ones in committed relationships and cited the core teachings of the Bible as being "the love of God" and "justice." Those opposed included both conservatives and liberals concerned for the unity of the church.

Conservatives proposed two motions: to require a more than 60 per cent margin when voting on doctrinal matters, which was handily defeated, and another deferring the resolution on "consistency with core doctrine" to 2010, which very nearly passed.

The split vote leaves Canadians even more uncertain whether they will remain in communion with the 77 million Anglicans worldwide. Chang says conservative Canadian could start looking for other congregations in which to worship as early as a week after the synod.

Before the vote, secretary general of the Anglican Communion Kenneth Kearon told the Vancouver Sun, "there's never been a scenario considered that would lead to the exclusion of the Anglican Church of Canada." Nevertheless, he urged members of synod before the vote to "act responsibly to fellow Christians."

Andrew Asbil, a Toronto priest whose congregation is 30 per cent gay or lesbian, says he has no idea what to say to his parish on his return. "I'm mystified that we voted in favour of the doctrinal issue and not the local option. We walk an even more precarious line."

Michael Ingham, the bishop of the B.C. diocese of New Westminster who first blessed same-sex unions in 2002, says it is a "bitter pill" for the church, but he trusts the "wisdom of our [decision-making] system."

On the last day of synod, Ingham asked that his diocese be allowed to continue blessing same-sex couples despite the ban on local options. He later withdrew the request. Victoria Matthews, a lead candidate for the primacy in 2004 and 2007 and chair of the Primates Theological Commission, voted against local options despite personally approving the blessings.

"I'm hopeful that we will be able to write a theology that is true to Scripture and Christian tradition that opens the door for this." But for now, she says, "I don't think anyone is leaving joyful."

Encouraging words

John Sentamu, Primate of England, spoke several times throughout the synod, encouraging delegates to pursue "magnanimous grace." He agrees with Matthews and Ingham that the church's decision-making process, which is the same as England's, is very sound. "All the votes were clear," he says.

Newly elected Canadian Primate Fred Hiltz, who voted in favour of both resolutions, noted the fair handling of discussion. "It was very clear that members of synod did not want the matter deferred.

"My greatest concern now is pastoral care of our gay and lesbian members," added Hiltz.

"There is probably some pleasure for members of the Anglican Communion that we are not moving ahead [with the blessings]. The reality is that we already have impaired communion—I'll be honest about that."