Ottawa Postpones Same-Sex Blessing Decision
Episcopal News Service. October 23, 2002 [2002-246-2]
Four months after the diocese of New Westminster voted to permit a formal blessing ceremony for homosexual couples, Ottawa is the second Canadian Anglican diocese to consider the idea, but decided it needs more discussion and study.
Delegates at Ottawa's annual synod, October 18-19, considered a motion to ask their bishop to authorize clergy in parishes that wish to bless same-sex relationships. They also considered a competing proposal to adopt the existing positions of the Canadian house of bishops and of the 1998 Lambeth Conference, both of which have opposed blessing homosexual relationships. The synod voted to refer both motions to the diocesan executive committee and directed the committee to form a task force that will consider the implications of any decision concerning the blessing of same-sex unions.
'It's the first time this has come before this synod. I think this was a very generous conversation. People were really saying we need to discuss this and take more time,' said diocesan bishop Peter Coffin at a news conference following a 45-minute debate on the motion. When asked if he would have approved the same-sex motion if it had passed, he replied, 'No. That would be simplistic and premature. I'm hearing that people want more discussion. I want to help the conversation along. I want to listen more intently.'
Several of 16 speakers during the debate expressed a need for more information and discussion and a wide variety of opinion about homosexuality and the place of homosexuals within the church. Canon Garth Bulmer, who presented the motion, said he wanted 'my church to say to gay couples that they are not perverted, sick or acting contrary to God's word and acknowledge that their relationships can be every bit as wholesome as heterosexuals.' As to whether the issue is divisive, Bulmer noted that practices relating to the ordination of women vary throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion. 'We have learned to deal with differences throughout our communion,' he said. He also said he agreed with those who are calling for more discussion.
During the debate, the Rev. George Sinclair said that six passages in the Bible 'speak clearly that same-sex sex acts are contrary to God's will.' God 'desires us to be faithful in heterosexual marriage or celibate in singleness. We can't bless people who have sex outside marriage or affairs outside marriage,' he said. In an interview after the votes, Sinclair said he believes 'Anglicans would like the issue to go away,' and said it was odd that synod 'didn't want to take a position with the Anglican house of bishops.'
In an interview, Ron Chaplin, a gay member of Bulmer's parish who was observing synod but was not a delegate, explained why a blessing ceremony is important for many gay Anglicans. 'It is the recognition. There is a meaning. You are making a promise to each other before God. (Participants) have come to witness it and support it.' Chaplin is a member of a group that was formed in 1997 at the direction of the diocesan synod to promote dialogue and discussion around the issue of homosexuality generally.
The diocesan task force is to report through the executive committee to the next regular session of synod, next October in Cornwall, Ontario.