Defending the Truth

it's always good to see people do the right thing, even when it's the most difficult thing...

Dioceses In Canada, US Approve Same-Sex Blessings by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff Posted: October 22, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET
Updated 2:00 pm ET
(Montreal, Quebec) The Episcopal diocese of California and the Anglican diocese of Montreal have voted to allow priests to bless same-sex unions - moves likely to further infuriate conservatives within the worldwide Anglican Church.
Elected representatives of the Episcopal Diocese of California meeting in San Francisco approved use of rites for the blessing of same gender couples by an overwhelming margin.
The action opens the way for Diocesan Bishop Marc Andrus to allow these services to be used on a trial basis by Episcopal churches across the Bay Area.
Clergy and lay delegates also approved by a broad majority a resolution affirming "the unanimous decision of the (Diocesan) Standing Committee to refuse to discriminate against partnered gay and lesbian bishops-elect" and deplored "the lack of access to adequate pastoral and ritual care for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in large parts of the Episcopal Church and the refusal of the majority of our bishops to make provision for it.
In Montreal, a weekend synod voted 103 - 57 to support the blessings of gay marriages and partnerships. It still needs the approval of Bishop Barry Clarke.
The vote came week after the diocese of Ottawa voted to allow similar blessings. (story)
In 2002 the diocese of New Westminster, in British Columbia, endorsed a similar plan but put it on hold following opposition from church conservatives.
In June the triennial General Synod, the Canadian Church's national governing body, agreed that same-sex blessings are "not in conflict'' with core church doctrine.
The synod, however, declined by a slim margin to affirm the authority of dioceses to offer such blessings.
The motions accepted in all three dioceses while allowing priests to bless same-sex unions would not permit them to perform same-sex marriages. Gays and lesbians have been able to marry in Canada since 2005, but the law does not require churches to perform the ceremonies.
Bishop Clark gave no indication what he will decide on the blessings issue, saying only that "I'm glad we came to a place where we know where we stand."
Ottawa bishop John Chapman also has not indicated whether he will endorse the vote in his area.
The issue already has fired up Anglican conservative worldwide who already are battling the American branch of the denomination over gay clergy.
Divisions in the worldwide church have steadily grown since the ordination of Gene Robinson as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire in 2003 and the Anglican Church of Canada diocese of New Westminster in British Columbia approved same-sex blessing ceremonies.
The priest who introduced the blessings motion in Montreal, Rev. Canon Paul Jennings, said he acknowledges the issue will be hard for many conservatives to accept.
Asked by the Montreal Gazette if he felt it could help lead to a schism in the worldwide Church, Jennings said: "Will it tear the church apart? It already is. We're fooling ourselves if we think otherwise."

IOL: US church will not condone gay marriage
The head of the Anglican church in South Africa, archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, has applauded a decision by the American wing of the church not to condone same-sex marriages.

"The Anglican Communion now has a basis for going forward together," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He was commenting on a recent pledge by bishops of the USA's Episcopal Church to neither authorise services to bless same-sex marriages nor to consecrate bishops unacceptable to the world-wide Anglican church.

The pledge followed threats of schism in the worldwide church after Gene Robinson, a gay man living with his partner, was made bishop in the USA in 2003.

Here's how they "rationalize" it.
New 'Bible' welcome | ajc.com

Isn't a disagreement with the Pope over the parameters of/rules regarding marriage and divorce how the Episcopol Church got started in the first place?

yes, indeed

They are brave, leading themselfs striaght into the fire.

which fire would that be?

Well, if that's true, then today's Episcopols are just carrying on church tradition... once again splitting over the parameters of marriage and divorce.

The difference being, of course, that this time it is happening because of a group of compassionate and educated people doing the right thing. The previous time, it was caused by a king who simply wanted a new wife.