The three indigenous bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada have issued a statement expressing disagreement with the decision of this past summer’s General Synod to alter the marriage canon to allow same-sex marriage. They also criticised the process by which the motion to alter the marriage canon came about.
After a series of ballots at an electing synod, the Diocese of Toronto in the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario of the Anglican Church of Canada has today elected three new bishops suffragan to serve in the diocese.
Earlier this year the bishop called a special diocesan synod with a two-fold purpose, to pass a canon law which would allow the diocese to elect a bishop coadjutor and to then have the election. However, an anonymous member of one of the parishes in the diocese objected, stating that the election would violate diocesan canon law. Subsequently, the bishop has canceled the announced electing synod.
“The integrity of voting at General Synod has come perilously close to breaking. I am grateful to all who have helped us understand where and how that integrity was put at risk. “
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, says he understands why some bishops have chosen to go ahead with the solemnization of same-sex marriages, even though the marriage canon (church law) cannot be officially changed until it is voted on again at General Synod 2019.
UPDATE: 2/3 was achieved in all 3 orders. Resolution passes according to Diocesan Twitter feed.
“It is time my friends. It is past time.” – the Rt Rev John Chapman, Ottawa
UPDATE – Tonight, 11 JUL 2016, the resolution to bring marriage equality to the ACoC failed in the House of Clergy by 1 vote. It passed by the needed 2/3s majority in the Houses of Bishops & Laity. A motion to reconsider the vote on the resolution was defeated.
During his sermon for the opening eucharist for the Anglican Church of Canada’s 2016 triennial synod, the most Revd Fred Hiltz, reminded those gathered that the Canadian Church had passed through questions of inclusion a number of times since it’s first synod held in 1893.
Representatives from at least six church organizations—including Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Archbishop Josiah Atkins Idowu-Fearon are expected to speak at General Synod
“Seeking assisted dying is a reflection of the struggle for a quality of life upheld by a deep and abiding belief in the sacredness of life.”