Magic Statistics

Bad news for orthodox Anglicanism.

The Victoria Times-Colonist is reporting that a slim majority of delegates attending the Diocese of British Columbia Synod support immediate authorisation for same-sex blessings in the Anglican Church of Canada.  The report is sketchy on details, but it sounds like a straw poll of the delegates was taken.

The 102 people who voted in favour of same-sex marriages being blessed and wanted the issue dealt with at the [national] synod represented 51.7 per cent of the delegates.

Another 27 people voted in favour of same-sex unions being blessed, but thought the issue should wait.

A total of 45 people said they should never be blessed, and 19 delegates were unsure.

The phrase “wanted the issue dealt with” is ambiguous, since General Synod will certainly discuss the issue of same-sex blessings and choose a course of action.  Further study and deliberation, as has been recommended by the House of Bishops, is one way of dealing with the matter.  In this context, however, it is clear that “dealing with the issue" means allowing same-sex blessings to be performed across Canada ASAP.

The article does not mention the motion I blogged earlier today rejecting same-sex blessings as “counter to Scripture and the current doctrine and Canon of Marriage within the Anglican Church of Canada”.

A battle royal over same-sex blessings is shaping up for General Synod, which begins on 19 June in Winnipeg.  In addition to Binky’s General Synod 2007 website, Anglican Essentials Canada has prepared a blog to provide gavel-to-gavel coverage.

Finally, I note that the numbers provided by the Times-Colonist are inconsistent.  The four groups of delegates sum to 193; but 102 divided by 193 is 52.8%, not 51.7%.  So, at least one of the four group totals, and/or the percentage, must be incorrect. 

Previous related posts:

• BC Synod to consider motion rejecting same-sex blessings
• Yukon Diocesan Synod passes resolution on same-sex blessings
• Yet another CaNNet blog

The Synod of the Diocese of British Columbia is meeting this weekend in Victoria.  A motion on same-sex blessings is to be presented, information concerning which was posted earlier today at The Webelf Report.  Here is the full text of the post:

The Diocese of British Columbia holds its 91st Synod starting today, Friday, June 1st from 7:00 p.m. through Saturday June 2nd at 5:00 p.m. in Victoria.  The motion (below) has been sent to the Synod Office today  (May, 31, 2007).  Your prayers are earnestly requested throughout the Synod.

Be it resolved that this Synod agrees with the Synod of the Diocese of Yukon, in response to the St. Michael Report, affirming the following:

a) that the biblical understanding of marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others;

b) that the blessing of same-sex unions is an important doctrinal matter which runs counter to Scripture and the current doctrine and Canon of Marriage within the Anglican Church of Canada;

c) that there is hope for healing and transformation of all sexual brokenness and sin through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Moved:            The Ven. Sharon Hayton

Seconded:        The Rev. Ron Corcoran

At the time of writing, the synod meeting is scheduled to conclude in about two hours, so the motion may already have been voted on.  No current information concerning this year’s synod is posted at the Diocese of British Columbia’s website, so who knows?

I am informed that Archbishop Terry Buckle, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC & Yukon, is attending BC Synod this weekend.  I spoke with him after the Diocese of Yukon Synod passed its motion last month, and he was very pleased.  I imagine he is even more pleased that Anglican clergy in another diocese have been led to recommend our motion for adoption.

At the same time, however, the motion may have a rough ride in the Diocese of British Columbia, led as it is by liberal bishop The Rt Rev James Cowan, who is on record opposing the Anglican Network in Canada.

The Diocese of British Columbia covers Vancouver Island.  (A map of ecclesiastical provinces and dioceses of the Anglican Church of Canada is available here).

h/t: Binky

Previous related post: Yukon Diocesan Synod passes resolution on same-sex blessings

UPDATE (2 Jun.): The motion didn't get far.  A poll of delegates showed that a slim majority favours implementation of same-sex blessings ASAP.