The time for discernment on same-gender blessings has moved beyond the discussion stage, according to the Rt. Rev. John H. Chapman, Bishop of Ottawa in the Anglican Church of Canada. Bishop Chapman recently announced plans “to explore experientially, the blessing of duly solemnized and registered civil marriages.”
 
If enacted, Ottawa would become the second Canadian diocese whose bishop has openly authorized same-sex blessings to be performed. The Diocese of New Westminster enacted its same-sex blessing policy in 2002, before the Windsor Report urged dioceses and provinces to demonstrate restraint and before a vote by the Canadian Church’s General Synod denied dioceses permission to enact same-sex blessings. The prohibition has not been enforced, however.
 
Under terms of the plan announced by the Bishop in the March issue of Crosstalk, the monthly diocesan newsletter, a doctrine and worship committee will be appointed to create a liturgy, appropriate protocols and procedures as well as an evaluative process. Assuming that the committee returns with a favorable recommendation, one parish, St. John the Evangelist, Ottawa, will be permitted to use the liturgy at a time to be determined.
 
“I am of the opinion that while our church struggles to honor the call for gracious restraint in blessing same-sex unions, those who are proponents of cross-border interventions have and continue to show no restraint,” Bishop Chapman wrote. “I have endeavored to address this situation since the Lambeth Conference, and I regret to say that to date a conversation with the pertinent parties has not been possible. I am disappointed and dismayed. My feelings are grounded in my care and concern for the bishops and dioceses most adversely affected by these cross-border interventions.”
 
Bishop Chapman said he and other members of his diocese wished to “continue learning” and desired “to experience more deeply the will of Jesus on this matter of blessing same-gender couples.” He clarified the new policy by noting that the diocese was in discernment about same-sex blessings, not same-sex marriage.
 
A General Synod resolution which would have allowed dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada to authorize the blessing of “committed same-sex unions” failed by two votes in the House of Bishops in 2007. Prior to the start of the Synod meeting in 2007, a task force of bishops, led by the Rt. Rev. Victoria Matthews, Bishop of Edmonton, prepared the St. Michael’s Report, which found that approval of same-gender blessings would represent a change to church doctrine, but not core doctrine.
 
Get your copy of The Living Church the same day it’s printed with the Online Edition. Our introductory price of just $24.50 for a full year is available for a limited time. Order yours today!