WINNIPEG, Manitoba — On June 24, the national governing body of the Anglican Church of Canada defeated by the tightest of margins a motion to forge ahead with blessing same-sex unions across the country.
The church’s lay and clergy delegates voted to allow same-sex blessings, but church bishops voted 21–19 against it. Majorities in all three groups would have been needed to approve the measure.
Earlier in the day, delegates approved a statement that said the blessing of same-sex unions is “not in conflict with the core doctrine” of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Yet bishops, perhaps mindful of pressure from overseas Anglican provinces, narrowly killed the measure. The decision is likely to spare the Canadian church some of the ire from overseas Anglicans that has been directed at the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Both churches were told to promise not to allow same-sex blessings by Sept. 30 or face unspecified “consequences” from the worldwide Anglican Communion.
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