The Anglican Diocese of Huron will hold its next synod meeting in the spring. Bishop of Huron The Rt Rev Bruce Howe thinks that a motion in favour of allowing same-sex blessings will be probably presented, and he thinks it would pass.

It’s “highly likely” Anglicans in the Diocese of Huron, which includes churches in Waterloo Region, will vote on same-sex blessings at their next decision-making meeting in the spring, the diocese’s bishop says.

“I can certainly say it’s highly likely that something will come forward,” Rt. Rev. Bruce Howe said yesterday in a news conference in London, the seat of the diocese.

When asked if he thought such a vote would pass, Howe said “My guess would be yes.”

Bp Howe hasn’t yet decided whether he would accept such a motion. He would only say that it would have to pass by more than a bare majority for him to give it serious consideration.

His comments will certainly encourage pro-homosexual Huron Anglicans to present such a motion at synod.

Primate Fred Hiltz, who will preach at tomorrow’s 150th anniversary of the diocese, offered his two cents’ worth.

At yesterday’s press conference, Hiltz, the Anglican primate, said in addition to Scripture the church considers reason, tradition and experience of the faithful to be important.

If he’s implying that the Anglican church sees reason, tradition, and experience as equal in authority with Scripture, he’s mistaken. The Anglican church has never accepted such a view.

In some Anglican circles nowadays, one often hears references to the “three-legged stool” (Scripture, reason, and tradition) or the “four-legged stool” (Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience), often combined with claims or suggestions that those “stools” arise from the thought of theologian Richard Hooker (1554-1600). That claim, however, is erroneous. Hooker saw Scripture as supremely authoritative; church tradition and human reason are important but of secondary significance. Experience has never had authoritative standing.

Is Bp Howe right to believe that a motion to approve SSBs will be presented at Huron’s next diocesan synod? A look at the September issue of the diocesan newsletter Huron Church News would indicate that he is indeed. About half of page 11 is given over to an article celebrating Integrity London’s participation in local Gay Pride indulgences festivities.

“[A]s long as there is one person who still feels ashamed of being who they are, we need Gay Pride.”

Well, I’m ashamed of being a sinner, but I don’t think Gay Pride is going to be of any help dealing with that. Jesus teaches that repentance, not pride, is the pathway to forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.

h/t: Pat Dague at Transfigurations

c/p: Magic Statistics