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The fallout from Ottawa Synod’s vote in favour of same-sex blessings is still accumulating and another Anglican Church of Canada diocese is about to consider an almost identical resolution. The Diocese of Montreal Synod is voting this evening (Friday, 19 October). Prayers, please.
The Montreal branch of the Anglican Church will vote tonight on whether parishes in the diocese can formally bless same-sex civil unions, if they so choose.
The vote, to take place at their annual meeting, or synod, comes a week after the Ottawa diocese voted 177-97 in favour of a similar motion.
The result of the vote is only a recommendation. If Montreal Anglicans vote to follow their Ottawa brethren, Bishop Barry Clarke, head of the Montreal diocese, can choose to accept or reject their choice.
Bp Clarke says he has not yet decided whether to support the resolution.
The Rev Paul Jennings, co-sponsor of the motion, offers an utterly inane rationale for voting in favour.
"I'm certainly aware this is a painful motion where people will be wounded and alienated on both sides."
But stressed [sic] the decision to bless same-sex unions is at its core "about relationships."
"We're talking recognizing the fact God has blessed a relationship. You can't live (in a couple) for so long, without a little help," Jennings said.
Logic students, take note: That is an example of the logical fallacy known as begging the question. Also, how does he know who’s providing the presumed "help"?
One can only assume that Archbishop Fred Hiltz’s failure to issue a caution over the Ottawa Synod vote will assure pro-SSB Montreal Synod delegates that there will be no consequences for passing a motion contrary to the express wishes of the Anglican Communion primates.
h/t: TitusOneNine
c/p: Anglican Essentials Canada Blog
Previous related posts:
- Primate sees no problem with Ottawa Synod resolution
- Montreal Diocese to consider motion at odds with General Synod decision
UPDATE (19 Oct.): The motion passed.
At its annual synod or general meeting, held 19 October 2007, the Anglican clergy and laity of the Diocese of Montreal voted in favour of a motion requesting "that the Bishop grant permission for clergy, whose conscience permits, to bless duly solemnized and registered civil marriages, including marriages between same-sex couples, where at least one party is baptized; and that the Bishop authorize an appropriate rite and make regulations for its use in supportive parishes." The vote taken on Friday night was passed in the order of clergy (44 – 25) and in the order of laity (59 – 32).
Montreal Bishop Barry Clarke says he will take some time to consider the results of the vote. Until he renders his decision, he expects that no SSBs will take place in the diocese.
Peter reminds us that the House of Bishops meets next week in London, Ontario. They have their work cut out for them.
Rev. Dr. Jennings comment is certainly an indication of a foregone conclusion.
He is (was) also a member of the Primate’s Theological Commission, no?
Actually the reminder, “The House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada is meeting next week in London, ON and is expected to discuss not only the implications of both the Ottawa and Montreal dioceses’ vote but also conflicting interpretations of the ramifications of General Synod’s decision around same-sex blessings.” comes from the Synod’s webpage containing the bishop’s statement, not from Peter. In the Anglican Journal the Primate of Canada has also pointed to the significance of the upcoming meeting of bishops. Archbishop Hiltz is currently wrapping up a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury. In advance of that meeting Hiltz had said he would raise SSB’s as a pastoral concern with the ABC.
Joe, I hadn’t known that about Rev Jennings, but you’re right. His name is on the St Michael Report. The plot thickens.
Thanks, John. I was just giving Peter credit for the link to the Synod’s web page. Sorry for the confusion.
Within 24 hours of Fred’s election as Primate, he said on national television that we need to look at different interpretations of scripture and use the rubric of justice in moving the ACC forward. I thought, forward over the cliff… I saw my church going down the toilet! Its doctrine has changed. The high jacking of Canadian Anglicans by special interest groups doth continue and is now being fortified and written in stone diocese by diocese ah, with due process. To hell with the Windsor Report and the Global Communion is the unwritten but clearly spoken mantra of the times!
So I guess we can add as many combinations of letters in no particular order, to other such combos as ssb, g l b t _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and so on. It really doesn’t matter at this point, for an new interpretive framework will be devised or cooked up on the spur of the moment to support all of them… following due process of course. The doctrine that was ceremoniously flushed into the Red River in June has followed its natural course this week to both the Ottawa and St Lawrence Rivers. Where else is it going to wash up?
[...] Montreal Synod votes tonight on same-sex blessings [...]
BOP, Where else? Keep your eyes peeled in the direction of the Niagara River.
Seriously, an interpretive framework cooked up on the spur of the moment is unlikely to be theologically sound or persuasive. If the ACC thoughtlessly adopts such a scheme, it could become the laughing stock of intelligent Christians everywhere.
Politically correct nostrums matter more then cogent theology. Over the cliff we go!
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