The rector of an Anglican church in downtown Ottawa says that, if homosexuals can’t get "married" in his church, no one can.  The Rev Canon Garth Bulmer publicised his decision days before Ottawa Synod meets to consider his motion asking the bishop to allow same-sex blessings in the diocese.

"If we can't marry everyone who comes to us in faithful union, we won't marry anyone," said Rev. Canon Garth Bulmer, who introduced a motion that Ottawa's bishop allow clergy "whose conscience permits" to bless same-sex unions.

"If gay people cannot have equal access to the sacraments of St. John's Church, we won't do the sacrament of marriage. It's a symbolic act which would be a gesture of solidarity."

Canon Bulmer needs to brush up on his Anglican theology.  According to the Thirty-Nine Articles, there are only two sacraments, and marriage ain’t one of them.

If the motion passes, the newly installed bishop of Ottawa, The Rt Rev John Chapman, still has the final say as to whether SSBs will be allowed in the diocese.

The Rev George Sinclair, rector of St Alban the Martyr Church and co-chair of Anglican Essentials Canada, believes that Ottawa Anglicans who oppose SSBs have been hushed up.

Sinclair, 51, said critics are afraid to speak.

"We've been marginalized," he said. "I've been called Hitlerite. You are accused of homophobia and bigotry."

Pro-homosexual Anglicans slandering those who maintain orthodox beliefs?  That’s a very serious charge, Rev Sinclair.

"When you're opposing it because it's wrong and sinful and people who engage in those practices are bad, it's homophobic," Bulmer said.

QED.

c/p: Anglican Essentials Canada Blog

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