The House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada recently issued a pastoral statement discouraging same-sex blessings (SSBs).  The Rt Rev Michael Ingham, Bishop of New Westminster, has told his Diocesan Council that he voted against the statement because, in his view, the bishops should have kept their mouths shut an open mind.

Bishop Michael Ingham told Diocesan Council this month that he could not agree with a statement issued by the Canadian House of Bishops that recommends that the June General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada again delay decisions regarding the blessing of same sex unions.

“I voted against it,” said Bishop Ingham, adding that he knew some other bishops failed to agree with the statement also, although the vote count was not made public.

I think we see here one of those instances where the headline says something not clearly supported by the content of the article.

Bishop says colleagues should have kept open mind on blessings

In fact, it seems to me to be contradicted by the subhead:

Opposes more delay at national Church level

Call me cynical, but I find it hard to believe that Bp Ingham would have raised the smallest objection to a statement calling for immediate authorisation of SSBs in every parish of the Anglican Church of Canada.  Indeed, the subhead implies exactly that: He’s against further delay.

Michael Ingham has publicly stated his support of SSBs in the church; other bishops have publicly stated their opposition.  If it’s kosher for individual bishops to take public stands on this issue, why is it illegitimate for the bishops to meet together and issue a joint statement?

Anyway, the text of the bishops’ pastoral statement shows that they have kept an open mind.  They call for further prayer, study, and discussion on the issue, and ask for theological and ecclesiological reports to be prepared and disseminated before General Synod 2010.

Who has the open mind: those who want more discussion and deliberation, or those who oppose further delay and want the issue put to a decisive vote right now?

Obvious man strikes again!The graphic is Binky’s latest creation, posted at his blog earlier today.  It arises from another discussion of Anglican issues, but it kinda fits here, too.

Previous related posts: