Saskatoon diocese votes against same-sex blessings

Anglican Journal News
staff

The diocese of Saskatoon, at its biennial synod held April 4-6, narrowly
defeated a resolution that would have allowed clergy to bless same-sex civil
marriages.

The vote was 41 against, 38 for and four abstentions, said Lorea Eufemia,
secretary/treasurer of the diocese.

Moved by Canon Colin Clay and seconded by Cathy Hartsook, the resolution
said: "Be it resolved that this 68th Session of the Synod of the Diocese of
Saskatoon request the bishop to allow clergy, whose conscience permits, to
bless the duly solemnized and registered civil marriages between same-sex
couples, where at least one party is baptized, and to authorize rites for
such blessings."

It was the first time the issue had come before the Saskatoon synod, and the
debate lasted nearly an hour and a half, said Ms. Eufemia. Opinions did not
divide along urban and rural lines, she said. "Some members of urban
parishes voted against it and some rural parishes were for it," she said.
She also noted that the debate was characterized by "respect, kindness and
love." The bishop of Saskatoon, Rodney Andrews, who could not immediately be
reached, was pleased by the tone of the debate, she said.

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