As Peter posted a few days ago at Anglican Essentials Canada Blog, the Anglican Church of Canada’s House of Bishops issued a letter following their meeting late last month in London, Ontario.  The letter affirms their April 2007 Statement  asking clergy and bishops to refrain from blessing or “marrying” same-sex couples.

Two bishops have been asked by their diocesan synods to authorise SSBs, and both say they still haven’t decided how to respond.  Anglican Journal reports:

In terms of consultation, bishops Barry Clarke of Montreal and John Chapman of Ottawa each said they have not yet reached a decision on how they will act upon the votes of their synods. “It was useful to have a conversation with dioceses in the same position,” said Bishop Chapman, who added he wanted to see the decisions of the diocese of Niagara, whose Nov. 16-17 synod was scheduled to vote on the blessings issue. “I don’t want to act alone, but I don’t think I’ll need to. There is movement in the church (toward further acceptance of gay people); there is no going back.”

Based on that last comment, I wouldn’t bet the family farm on Bp Chapman following the advice of his peers in the House of Bishops.

Other bishops facing intense pressure to allow SSBs are The Rt Rev James Cowan of British Columbia and The Rt Rev Ralph Spence of Niagara.  Bp Spence sounds like he’s ready to throw in the towel.

“There is frustration that Niagara, which has held the line, is not allowed to go forward (with same-sex blessings),” he said. If the matter arises again at synod, “my expectation is that I will not be able not to give my assent,” he said.

Is he really saying he will have no free choice in the matter?

There’s more shocking news in the Anglican Journal report—so shocking that it deserves its own blog post.  Coming up next.

c/p: Anglican Essentials Canada Blog

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