LONDON, Ontario — Canada’s Anglican bishops have decided to continue a moratorium on same-sex “marriages” that was first imposed in 2005. Meeting in London, Ontario, for their regular fall session, the 40 bishops agreed to leave in place the two-year-old moratorium. The Anglican Journal reports they also expressed serious concern about Canadian participation in activities that widen the schism in the Anglican Communion.
In October, the Anglican dioceses of Ottawa and Montreal voted to approve the blessing of same-sex “marriages,” should the priest and parish approve. It is unclear what effect the bishops’ decision will have in those dioceses. The bishops of Ottawa and Montreal said they have not yet decided how they will act on the votes of their synods. In 2004, the Diocese of Niagara voted in favor of conducting same-sex blessings, but its bishop withheld his required endorsement for the measure to take effect.
Bishop Michael Ingham approved same-sex blessings in the British Columbia Diocese of New Westminster in 2002, causing an international uproar. Ingham responded to the 2005 moratorium by limiting blessings to eight parishes that had requested permission earlier. (TAB)
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