From the Journal:
The diocese of British Columbia may be the next in Canada to ask its bishop to allow the blessing of married gay or lesbian couples.
A motion asking that priests be allowed to conduct blessings of gay of lesbian couples has been submitted to the biennial synod meeting Mar. 6-7 by the parish of St. John the Divine, Victoria.
The synod, primarily concerned with a restructuring of the diocese, failed to finish its business but will resume at the call of the Bishop James Cowan later this spring when the motion regarding same sex blessings may come to the floor.
Bishop Cowan will make the final decision as to whether same sex blessings should take place in parishes of the diocese, which covers Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. At General Synod 2007, the bishop voted against extension of the blessing.
Late last year Bishop Cowan announced that he had lifted his episcopal guideline that prohibited employment of gay or lesbian clergy partnered with a person of the same sex. He said he changed the guideline after discussions with other bishops at the Lambeth Conference and in the Canadian House of Bishops. He revealed that he appointed a priest who was lesbian, whom he did not name.
At synod, the bishop said that the priest he appointed had resigned for family and other reasons. However the episcopal guideline – that gay or lesbian priests in partnered relationships may now be appointed – remains in effect, the bishop told synod.
A recent survey of the diocese’s then 56 parishes found that 32 parishioners wished to go ahead with such a blessing of same sex couples, and 15 parishes felt so strongly. Another 13 parishes had members split on the issue, and in four parishes, most members were opposed. The other parishes did not respond to the study, which was carried out by churches in the Selkirk (downtown Victoria) region.
Strong opposition to the blessing has been weakened by the departure of approximately 200 Anglicans who formerly worshipped in four of the diocese’s parishes and have joined the Anglican Network in Canada over the past two years.
However, Bishop Cowan reminded the synod that there are still Anglicans faithful to the diocese who remain opposed. “It is not an easy matter among us,” he said.
Just two hundred worshippers who have departed for ANiC????? Someone needs to check his numbers. But then if you question this bishop about his statements about “facts” he responds, “I have written what I have written.”
Was this “Survey” done like the infamous, manipulative “straw pole” done in 2007 before GS in order to send the memo from D of B.C.? If it wasn’t conducted by the Synod Office it has a chance of being accurate.
And finally, if this next session of the Synod of BC decides to go ahead with SSB’s they will be violating a motion which was passed in 2008 which stated that the D of BC would do no such thing until GS had decided the issue. (No date was appended to that motion). And that was representative with more “conservatives” there who had not left yet for ANiC!
This bishop should respect the will of synod and not allow Rev Harold Munn’s parish’s motion to come to the floor. Harold Munn should respect the will of Synod too. That was a pretty definitive motion that was passed overwhelmingly, and he only has to wait until GS decides the SSB issue…whenever that happens to be. Perhaps the idea of INDABA process at GS is frightening the liberals in D of BC. Maybe they figure they gave away too much in that motion they voted for almost two years ago now. I’m sure they thought that GS would decide the matter once and for all in 2010.
Oh the ironies of messing about with “process” and doing the INDABA instead of “I second that MOTION!” Rowan, Rowan, what have you done to the poor liberals in B.C.? Now their precious Synod process of motions and amendments from the floor has been derailed, and they may have to pretend they never passed that motion in 2008. I wonder if they’ll manage it?
Just got the Anglican Journal News by e-mail.
Here are the main items:
BC SYNOD REPORT:
1. Six churches close; others buy time
2. New election law (I gather it means that they may not replace a bishop who leaves because they can’t afford another, JK)
2. More blessings?
Well, hey, I wonder if there is a connection.
How blind can they be.
There are none so blind as those who will not see. Don’t kid yourself JK, we all suffer from blindness to one extent or another.