The Anglican Church of Canada has emerged more unified and confident that it can deal with its own divisions over faith and order, according to one bishop who attended the April 25-27 House of Bishops’ meeting in Windsor, Ontario, and spoke with The Living Church on the condition of anonymity.

The 13-point statement issued by the Canadian House of Bishops was praised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, but it does not immediately change the status quo in the Diocese of New Westminster, which voted in 2002 to allow same-sex liturgical blessings.

However, a soon-to-be released report by the Primate’s Theological Commission is expected to clarify an important canonical issue as to whether same-sex blessings are a matter of doctrine. In voting to allow same-sex blessings, the Diocese of New Westminster determined that same-sex blessings were not a matter of doctrine. Only the General Synod, which meets once every three years, can determine doctrine, and changes must be approved by a two-thirds majority at two successive synods. Formal approval of same-sex blessings could not occur until after the 2008 Lambeth Conference, the bishop told TLC.

If, as expected, the theological commission rules that same-sex blessings are a matter of doctrine, then the general perception within the Anglican Church of Canada would be that the Diocese of New Westminster acted precipitously in 2002 and in allowing same-sex blessings to continue, it is doing so in contravention of canon law.

Read these related articles:

· Canadian Bishops Won't Halt Blessings of Same-Sex Unions

· Archbishop Won't Attend U.S.-Canadian Bishops Meeting

From the Anglican Journal:

· Bishops Agree to Hold Off on Blessings

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