Three dioceses of the Anglican Church of Canada have voted to allow what General Synod refused to allow by approving blessings of same-sex relationships, pending approval from the respective bishops. Archbishop Fred Hiltz issued no reprimand; to the contrary, he appeared to accept the diocesan resolutions.
I believe these resolutions present an opportunity to test the mind of the local church and the results speak of a pastoral need that cannot be ignored.
Now, predictably, an individual parish has gone even further, voting not merely to bless same-sex relationships but to perform same-sex marriages.
One of the oldest Anglican parishes in North America has become the first to approve holding weddings for same-sex couples. The vote by parishioners of Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity poses a direct challenge to the leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada, which tonight begins its annual synod in Winnipeg.
The resolution says that the parish will “continue to exercise its conscience and bless same-sex unions and marry same-sex couples.”
Will this be enough to prompt an ACC bishop or archbishop to issue a rebuke? A caution? I wouldn’t bet the family farm on that.
The news story reports no comment from parish clergy, so it’s unclear whether the parish voted to ask their priest to officiate at same-sex marriages or whether the decision is a done deal.
Interestingly, the names of parish clergy do not appear to be listed at Holy Trinity’s website; one must search the Diocese of Toronto’s site to identify them. The Rev Dianne Mesh is Interim Priest-in-Charge, The Rev Don J.M. Heap and The Rev James Houston are Honourary Assistants.
UPDATE (16 Jan.): Commenter The Sheepcat contacted a friend at Holy Trinity who confirms that this is old news, referring to events that occurred in July 2007. In the meantime, LifeSite reported the story as well, but also refers to a statement from last July.
See the comments box for more details. Thanks for looking into this, Sheepcat.
I suspect 365gay is muddled here. This story, dated January 14, 2008, refers to the general synod about to open in Winnipeg. I’ve asked a friend of mine at Holy Trinity for clarification.
Thanks, Sheepcat. I wondered about that, too, but I found an item at the official ACC site saying that General Synod is about to consider a budget. The item doesn’t say where a meeting is to be held. Further clarification would be good.
This is looking like old news.
The quote from Jim Ferry that appeared on Lifesite today matches that in an Ottawa Citizen story dated July 7, 2007.
This story all seems to be referring to a Holy Trinity resolution dated June 15, 2007.
P.S. This page dates the Holy Trinity press release about the resolution as June 17, 2007. I don’t know why the URL of the resolution itself is http://holytrinitytoronto.org/community/SSMres_20070715.php.
Yup, my friend at HT confirms via e-mail that this is old news, quoting the press release and resolution.
Just more confirmation of where the ACC is heading. Seems the need for ANiC, Essentials, CCP and other likeminded causes is just reinforced again.
“The Rev Dianne Mesh is Interim Priest-in-Charge, The Rev Don J.M. Heap and The Rev James Houston are Honourary Assistants.”
Duh: Control to Houston……..Looks like you’re geeting into a bit of a mesh (mess)……carefull you don’t end up in the Heap of ashes!
groan…. ed.