Anglican Church of Canada shies away from blessing same sex unions

Some members of the Anglican Church of Canada were left in tears Sunday, after a motion to bless same-sex unions lost by only two votes.

The motion was supported by the majority of clergy and laity at the group’s national meeting, but two bishops who opposed the idea were the deciding factor. The motion was defeated by 21-19.

The decision shocked many same-sex supporters who thought the motion would pass since earlier in the day Anglicans voted same-sex blessings were not in conflict with the church’s doctrine.

Chris Ambidge, national spokesman for an Anglican group that supports same-sex unions, said the national meeting sent mixed messages to Anglicans across Canada and was confusing to everyone who voted.

“What is wrong with having rights of blessing when you’ve already said it’s OK?” he said. “I just don’t understand that.”

The news come only a day after the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada rejected the possibility blessing same-sex unions at its national meeting, also being held in Winnipeg.

The motion was defeated by a 200-181 secret ballot vote.

LINK: Winnipeg Free Press
LINK: photo credit: flickr - Toronto Pride