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1a) http://gs2004.classicalanglican.com/modules/news/ (CaNN News) - THE IMPLODING LIBERAL Canadian Diocese of Niagara http://www.niagara.anglican.ca/synodniagara2004/index.cfm recently had their synod. Their Synod voted 2/3 in favour of Same-Sex Blessings. Now (as in New Westminster) the bishop has withheld permission for the blessing of same-sex unions. Here's his letter http://www.anglican.tk/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=682 , and again in .pdf format http://www.niagara.anglican.ca/synodniagara2004/docs/pressreleasesynod2004.pdf ("I would have personally voted with those in majority."). If it worked in New West, right? Here's the "Please Don't Leave Now, It Hasn't Happened Yet" Press Release. http://www.niagara.anglican.ca/synodniagara2004/docs/pressreleasesynod2004.pdf There's an online video of the Same-Sex discussions. Also see on this page, under "A Reflection and summary of the 130th Synod by Charles Stirling." http://www.niagara.anglican.ca/index.cfm# (...)A Surprising Vote The third motion on same gender blessings, with a change of wording, but retaining the same intent asked that, the Bishop grant clergy the permission to exercise their discretion in the blessing the relationships of gay or lesbian couples who have been married civilly, once their congregations have identified themselves as "blessing communities". Many of the same people spoke to the motion, as had on the first motion of Friday. Again the speakers kept their emotions and check and were again almost balanced, with those in favour just ahead of those against. This indicated a close vote, which was not borne out, as by a two thirds majority the motion passed. Curiously the results were received with little emotion, neither triumph nor rejection. There was a quiet sense among those who voted in favour, that the Church had moved on in its understanding of God's creation and the human condition. Those opposed and clearly disappointed planned to gather for prayers in a nearby building(...) By the bye, their last-ditch 2005 proposed budget failed to pass (...)Liberal religion = financial death. If they want financial crisis, wait until they pass same-sex blessings. It's sad to watch one of the truly great old Canadian dioceses keep shooting itself in the head(...) CaNN News
1b) http://anglicanjournal.com/extra/news.html?newsItem=2004-11-15_sds.news Bishop withholds his consent after Niagara approves same-sex blessings SOLANGE DE SANTIS, STAFF WRITER, ANGLICAN JOURNAL Nov. 15, 2004 - The diocese of Niagara in mid-November became the second Canadian diocese to approve the concept of blessing ceremonies for gay couples, but Bishop Ralph Spence declined to endorse such action, saying that the diocese needed to discuss it further. Of the 319 clergy and lay delegates at the annual diocesan synod, held Nov. 12-13 in Hamilton, Ont., 213 voted in favor and 106 were opposed. The motion asked the bishop to "grant clergy permission to exercise their discretion in blessing the relationship of gay or lesbian couples who have been married civilly, once they with their congregations have petitioned the bishop for permission to be a 'blessing community.'" However, according to church law, the bishop must give consent to motions passed by synod. Bishop Spence said that he heard "the will of the house" and was "inwardly torn." He also said he would have voted "with those in majority." However, he added that he is "the bishop for all people -- and (I) try to keep unity with the rest of the church ... I am not able to give my assent to this legislation and hence will not." He said he expects parishes to discuss the issue, that he grieves with the gay and lesbian community and that the issue will come back at the next synod. According to a report posted on Niagara's Web site, the vote was not foreshadowed by the debate, which split down the middle with slightly more delegates speaking in favor of the motion than against. Those speaking against the motion said it was divisive and contrary to Scripture. Those supporting it called it a matter of justice and God's love. One delegate (unidentified on the Web site) asked Niagara's chancellor, Robert Welch, whether synod was considering a change to doctrine (something essential to the faith) and whether it had the authority to do so. Mr. Welch replied that in his view it would not be a doctrinal change, that "it's talking about recognizing something that the state has already done" and that, in any case, the synod of Niagara would "have a role to play in providing advice and consultation to the General Synod." (The province of Ontario legalized marriage for homosexual couples in 2003.) Another motion on the subject, asking synod to postpone action until after General Synod 2007, was defeated. A third motion, that the synod carry out the recommendations of the recently-released Windsor Report, which called for a moratorium on same-sex blessings, was tabled. Bishop Spence's action was similar to that taken in the diocese of New Westminster, which first voted to approve same-sex blessings in 1998. Bishop Michael Ingham withheld his consent at that time. The diocesan synod again approved such action in 2001, when Bishop Ingham again withheld consent, and a third time in 2002. The margin of approval was larger each time and in 2002, Bishop Ingham consented.
November 15, 2004
1c) http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/aroundtheweb/ http://generalsynod.anglican.ca/stories/news.php?newsItem=2004-11-15_samesexniagara.news Niagara asks for same-sex rite; Bishop withholds consent BY DIANA MAVUNDUSE NOVEMBER 15, 2004 -- The diocese of Niagara approved the blessing of same-sex unions at its synod in Hamilton, Ont., this past weekend, making it the second Canadian Anglican diocese to do so. The first was New Westminster. The motion asked the bishop to "grant clergy permission to exercise their discretion in blessing the relationship of gay or lesbian couples who have been married civilly, once they with their congregations have petitioned the bishop for permission to be a 'blessing community.'" The motion was carried with a 66% majority of the assembly. Of the 319 clergy and lay delegates, 213 voted in favour of the motion and 106 opposed the motion. However, Bishop Ralph Spence withheld his consent, explaining that, "As the bishop I hear the will of the house…I would have personally voted with house in majority. … (But) I am the bishop for all people, and try to keep unity with the rest of the church. … I am not able to give my assent to this legislation and hence will not." He noted that this is the first time the synod voted on this issue, and called upon the delegates to go back to their parishes and challenge any parish that has not had a conversation about the issue to do so. For further information please contact: Archdeacon Marion Vincett Chief Executive Officer Diocese of Niagara Tel:905-527-1316 ext.340 Or visit the Diocese of Niagara Website www.niagara.anglican.ca/synodniagara2004/index.cfm
2a) The Diocese of Calgary Same-Sex Blessing Putsch sounds remarkably like a certain Diocesan Synod 6 ˝ years ago:
An Open Letter (by 30 New West Anglican Priests) to the Primate, the Most Reverend Michael Peers, and the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada May 13th 1998 (Six and a Half Years Ago)
Regarding Motion Number 9 which was passed by the Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster on 9 May 1998 by a margin of 179 to 1970.
The Motion in question reads as follows:
"Be it resolved that the Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster asks the Bishop to authorize clergy in this diocese to bless covenanted same-sex unions, subject to such conditions as the Bishop deems appropriate."
We, the undersigned, write to you from a deeply-divided diocese. We are grieved and shocked that the Synod of our diocese would pass such a divisive motion calling upon our Bishop to act in a manner contrary to the 1997 guidelines on sexuality so recently adopted by the Canadian House of Bishops. Such an action by any bishop could destroy the collegiality of the House and have serious long-term consequences. We are therefore thankful to our diocesan that he has rightfully withheld his assent from this motion.
We want to express our appreciation for the hard work which the 1997 guidelines represent and for the high degree of consensus achieved by the bishops in their deliberations. We consider our Synod's recommendation to be profoundly disrespectful of the collective wisdom of the House so recently enunciated.
We are particularly concerned for our brothers and sisters from the different Asian communities represented in the Lower Mainland, especially the Chinese community which has such a significant presence in our midst. After years of seeking to reach out to these communities, this recommendation offends them and only threatens to increase their marginalization in our Church.
We are further saddened by the Synod's lack of regard for the great majority of Anglicans outside of the West, particularly those of the South and East. The Kuala Lumpur Statement adopted in 1997 by African, Latin, and South American, and Asia bishops explicitly declares in paragraph number 10:
"We are deeply concerned that the setting aside of biblical teaching in such actions as the ordination of practicing homosexuals and the blessing of same-sex unions calls into question the authority of the Holy Scriptures. This is totally unacceptable to us."
The motion also threatens our ecumenical relations, in particular our Anglican-Lutheran discussions, and the Anglican-Roman Catholic and Anglican-Orthodox dialogue. We do not want the Anglican Church of Canada to become an ecumenically-isolated sect due to such a departure from the doctrine and discipline of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
We concur with the Archbishop of Canterbury (The Most Reverend Dr. George Carey), the world leader of our Communion, who stated at the General Synod in York in July 1997 that:
"I do not find any justification, from the Bible or the entire Christian tradition, for sexual activity outside of marriage. Thus, same sex relationships in my view cannot be on a par with marriage and the Church should resist any diminishing of the fundamental 'sacramentum' of marriage. Clergy, especially, should model relationships that commend the faith of Christ...I do not believe any major change is likely in the foreseeable future, and I do not myself share the assumption that it is only a matter of time before the Church will change its mind."
We appreciate the recent re-affirmation by the Canadian House of Bishops of its 1979 guidelines and its unwillingness to allow a 'local option' on the matter of the ordination of non-celibate homosexual clergy or on the matter of the blessing of same-sex 'unions'. We further concur with the motion adopted by a 9 to 3 margin at the February 1998 meeting of the Executive Council of the British Columbia Provincial Synod:
"That this synod support the national House of Bishop's decision to hold to the intent of the 1979 guidelines on homosexuality as reflected in the October 29th, 1997 statement."
We therefore dissent from the recommendation made by the diocesan synod of New Westminster and we call on you as bishops of our national church to promote the unity of the Church by preventing the implementation of this unacceptable recommendation.
Signed by 30 Priests who were in the New Westminster Diocese (May 1998),
The Rev. Charles Balfour, St. John's Maple Ridge The Rev. Ronald Barnes, St. John's Port Moody The Rev. John Briscall, St. David's Delta The Rev. Beverly Chapman, Permission to Officiate The Rev. Michael Chin, Permission to Officiate The Rev. Timothy Cooke, St. Martin's North Vancouver The Rev. Philip Der, Good Shepherd, Vancouver The Rev. Douglas Dittrich, St John's Whonnock The Rev. Jim Fergusson, St Mark's Ocean Park The Rev. William H. Ferris, All Saints, Aggasiz The Rev. Daniel Gifford, St John's Shaughnessy, Vancouver The Rev. David Gifford-Cole, St David's Delta The Rev. Karen Hansen, St David's/St. Paul's Powell River The Rev. Peter Heritage, Retired The Rev. Ed Hird, St. Simon's Deep Cove The Rev. H. Richard Hunt, Permission to Officiate The Rev. Ron Hunt, St. Clement's North Vancouver The Rev. Alan Kerr, Retired The Rev. Stephen Leung, Good Shepherd, Vancouver The Venerable Jack Major, Retired The Rev. Silas Ng, Church of Emmanuel, Richmond The Rev. Felix Orji, All Saints, Burnaby The Rev. Dr. JI Packer, St. John's Shaughnessy The Rev. Dr. Harry Robinson, St. John's Shaughnessy, Vancouver The Rev. Dr. John Roddam, St. David's Delta The Rev. George Rodgers, St Helen's Point Grey The Rev. David Short, St John's Shaughnessy, Vancouver The Rev. Roger Simpson, Holy Trinity, Vancouver The Rev. Dr. Trevor Walters, St Matthew's Abbotsford The Rev. Robert Wismer, St Helen's Point Grey
2b) The Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster Anglican Church of Canada
#302-814 Richards Street Vancouver, BC, V6B 3A7
To: All Clergy From: Bishop Michael Ingham Date: January 28th 1994 (almost 11 years ago)
(...)Please pray for the House as we continue our deliberations on the issue of homosexuality. Consensus will be very difficult to find. At this meeting there will be two major theological presentations to the bishops, presenting differing perceptions and experience, and I have been asked to offer some reflections on them. It is unlikely, in my view, that the House will be able to come to a common mind on this matter in the near future. I believe the most honest position for us to take will be to confess the pain of the struggle, to make no claims to have resolved it, and to offer both pastoral and educational leadership to the church so we might enter into the paradox and complexity of this issue altogether. More when I get back...(...)
The Vancouver Sun, Friday, December 23rd 1994 (One Decade Ago) Bishop Urges homosexual priests By Douglas Todd, Sun Religion Reporter
The national newspaper of the Anglican church has roundly criticized its own House of Bishops for remaining silent on homosexual rights - but the bishop for Greater Vancouver isn't afraid to take a stand.
"I would like the church to move towards having no barrier whatsoever based on sexual orientation," Michael Ingham said.
Disagreeing with current Anglican policy, Ingham said homosexuals should be allowed to be ordained as priests.
"I personally believe that the church should be a fully inclusive community of both heterosexual and homosexual persons. All of us are called to holiness and all of us are imperfect and forgiven."
But Ingham is not about to actively contravene the policy of the 700,000-member Anglican Church of Canada and ordain a sexually active gay person.
He said he is free only to work for change.
Ingham, who was consecrated bishop one year ago, was responding to an editorial in the Anglican Journal that attacked the national House of Bishops for its unprecedented act of discussing homosexuality entirely in private for three years. The editorial cited how the United Church of Canada voted to allow homosexuals to be ordained as long ago as 1988.
"Homosexuality has taken more agenda time at the national House of Bishops than any other issue. Yet every one of those discussions have been held in camera," says the latest issue. The Journal is funded by the Anglican church, but has an independent editorial policy.
"In the past, particularly when (the House of Bishops) felt vulnerable to public opinion - for example, in talking about church union or women's ordination - they have met in camera for several hours. But never has a major topic been entirely discussed in secret over a period of three years. The loss in all this is to the church."
The House of Bishops, Ingham said, fully realizes it's "well past time" to make a statement on whether Anglican gays should remain celibate or be allowed to become priests.
"What we're struggling with is what statement to make, because the bishops are divided on the question. Within the House of Bishops, you will find the whole range of views about both human sexuality and homosexuality - from conservative to liberal," he said.
Many bishops strongly believe in fully including homosexuals in the church, said Ingham, 45, who is married with two children. But they feel the House of Bishops can't allow that to happen yet because it would divide the membership.
2d) http://www.vancouversun.com Letter to the Editor, Vancouver Sun Newspaper, December 1994 Sexual Activity, not being gay, a Bar to Ordination
The headline on your Dec. 23rd story "Bishop urges homosexual priests" is misleading. At no point did I "urge" the ordination of homosexual persons.
I did express the view, in response to your reporter's questions that there should be no barriers based on sexual orientation. What the article did not note is that there are currently no barriers in the Anglican Church based on sexual orientation.
The current (and historic) barriers relate to sexual activity outside of marriage. These are prohibited for all clergy, regardless of sexual orientation.
The policy of Anglican bishops is to deny ordination to those who cannot commit themselves to celibacy outside male-female marriage. I continue to maintain that policy.
I do, however, believe this creates a situation of injustice for homosexual people who are thus denied by the church any recognition of committed, lifelong, monogamous relationships.
Along with many Anglicans and several bishops, I wish to see this situation changed and for our church to become a more inclusive community where lifelong commitment in mutual love is recognized as sacred, regardless of orientation.
While such matters are under discussion, however, there will be no change in practice or teaching.
MICHAEL INGHAM, Bishop, Diocese of New Westminster
2e) Diocese of New Westminster Anglican Church of Canada #302- 814 Richards Street Vancouver, BC V6B 3A7
(excerpts from a ) Memorandum To: All Diocesan Clergy From: Bishop Michael Ingham Date: December 23rd 1994 (10 Years Ago) Subject: Today's Vancouver Sun Report
Dear Friends in Christ,
(...)I do not believe bishops have a right to act unilaterally on issues of faith, morals, or doctrine without the consent of the church. I have therefore maintained this policy (of denying ordination to those who cannot commit themselves to celibacy outside male-female marriage) as bishop of New Westminster.
(...)But I have clearly said, and repeat here, that until our church changes its stance on the ordination of practicing homosexual persons, I will uphold the policy of our church as expressed in the 1979 Guidelines of the House of Bishops. As a bishop, I will be governed by these guidelines. As an individual, I will argue that they be changed(...)
I regret that the sensational nature of the article, and particularly the headline, may have caused distress to members of the church at Christmas time. Nothing in the article is actually wrong, but the slant of it is clearly misleading and incomplete. I am writing to the Editor of the Sun today to clarify these matters.
I must ask you to share this statement with any person who approaches you as a result of today's article.
Best wishes to you as you celebrate the birth of Christ this weekend!
Kindest regards,
+Michael The Right Reverend Michael Ingham, bishop
3) http://gs2004.classicalanglican.com/modules/news/ - DIO TORONTO: Synod on Nov. 27 to consider same-sex blessings: Click on - Parishes try to discern way forward on same-sex blessings ... (toronto.anglican.ca) - 4) http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/11/14/special_reports/religion/16_33_2511_13_04.txt Last modified Saturday, November 13, 2004 8:37 PM PST North County Times - Escondido, CA, USA Is the Anglican Communion headed toward an eventual crackup? http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041113/NEWS/411130334/1018/FEATURES10 Anglicans may face schism over gay issues November 13, 2004, Times Argus Newspaper http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041113/NEWS03/111130063/-1/news Nov. 13, 2004, The Telegraph Online Anglicans face moving forward or further apart
By RICHARD N. OSTLING, The Associated Press Published: Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004
Is the Anglican Communion headed toward an eventual crackup? The situation doesn't look particularly hopeful, based on reaction to the work of an emergency commission whose goal is preserving the worldwide body of 77 million Christians.
Anglicans are sharply divided over Christianity's age-old teaching against gay sex and, underlying that, the interpretation and authority of the Bible. The Lambeth Commission's report said it regrets five incidents that created a crisis over the issue:
-Consecration last year of an openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson, by the Episcopal Church (Anglicanism's U.S. branch);
-The U.S. church's recognition that Episcopal clergy "operating within the bounds of our common life" perform blessings for same-sex couples;
-Approval of same-sex blessings by the Anglican Church of Canada's Vancouver Diocese;
-The Canadian church's decision to "affirm the integrity and sanctity" of gay and lesbian relationships;
- Conservative bishops' boundary-crossing to lead North American parishes that cannot accept the authority of their liberal bishops, without permission from those local bishops.
In diplomatic tones, the commission said last month that the North Americans should be "invited" to express "regret" over same-sex blessings and the elevation of a gay bishop and place a moratorium on both practices. The boundary-crossing bishops also were asked to express regret and desist.
Since then, neither side indicated much willingness to budge.
U.S. Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold responded that "we regret how difficult and painful actions of our church have been" for others, but didn't express regret over what was done or raise hopes for a rollback.
Griswold affirmed the contributions of gays and lesbians "in all orders of ministry" (bishops and priests) and added his regret that other Anglican churches repress homosexuals. He said he didn't consider his own leadership of Robinson's consecration "fundamentally wrong or contrary to the Spirit or I could not have participated."
He has started work on another commission request, for an official explanation of how the Episcopal Church justifies gay bishops in light of biblical and church tradition.
Similarly, Vancouver's Bishop Michael Ingham said his diocese "does regret the consequences of our actions, but not the actions themselves." The commission's sole Canadian member said the report doesn't "pass judgment" or "necessarily change anyone's attitudes or actions."
But the heads of Africa's churches insisted that the North Americans must move beyond regretting the effect of their actions "to a genuine change of heart and mind. Failure to do so" will signify their decision to leave Anglicanism and "follow another religion," they said in a joint statement Oct. 28.
On boundary-crossing, the angry Africans said it's offensive to see any "moral equivalence" between their helping "beleaguered friends" and the North American actions.
The commission said Anglicanism's spiritual leader, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, should "exercise very considerable caution" on inviting Robinson to Anglican meetings. It also suggested that unrepentant bishops who consecrated Robinson or authorized same-sex blessings should consider "in all conscience" whether to voluntarily withdraw from Anglicanism's "representative functions."
Conservatives assume that would suspend liberals' regular participation in all world Anglican meetings.
But some contend that "representative" refers only to delegates meeting with non-Anglicans.
Robinson is pleased that the commission didn't ask him to resign, and only denounced gay bishops but not gay priests. Liberals also say the plea for a moratorium on bishops authorizing same-sex blessings leaves individual priests free to conduct them on their own.
Still, Jim Naughton, a spokesman for the liberal Washington (D.C.) Diocese, thinks the report "will have such a chilling effect" and prevent further gay bishop consecrations for years - no matter how the immediate crisis shakes out.
What now? Several upcoming meetings loom large.
Canada's Toronto Diocese will decide Nov. 27 whether to proceed with same-sex blessings, and the U.S. bishops will discuss the Lambeth report Jan. 12-13.
But most observers expect the crunch to come at a Feb. 21-26 meeting of the 38 "primates" who head world Anglicanism's branches.
Canon David Anderson, president of the conservative American Anglican Council, says "continued recalcitrance" means the primates must decide now whether to require "repentance and change of action" by the North American churches under threat of suspension - or watch the erosion of those denominations.
But the Rev. Ian Douglas of Massachusetts' liberal Episcopal Divinity School says the collective authority of the primates is so undefined that the situation could play out for years. He also says the Episcopal Church can't respond officially until its 2006 convention.
David Kalvelage, editor of the independent weekly The Living Church, doubts Episcopal Church leaders would care much if their church is eventually suspended or removed from Anglican Communion ranks.
"To move forward in the direction it's going is much more important to them than the status of Communion membership," he says.
4) http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1664 Posted by dvirtue on 2004/11/13 8:56:00
SOUTHERN CONE REPORT OFFERS SUPPORT FOR FAITHFUL EPISCOPALIANS CAUGHT IN REVISIONIST DIOCESES
News Analysis
By David W. Virtue
WEST CHESTER, PA (11/13/12004)--Though couched in diplomatic language, a recent report from the Eighth Synod of the Southern Cone meeting in Santa Cruz, Bolivia made it very clear that this province will continue to offer a safe place for beleaguered orthodox parishes and dioceses in the Anglican Communion that are under siege by revisionist bishops.
At their meeting, leaders of the Synod's reaction to the Windsor report was guardedly positive saying it "provides valuable tools for the church to deal with the rebellious and unilateral actions" of American and Canadian churches.
Several former ECUSA parishes have successfully sought ecclesiastical protection from the Southern Cone Province after leaving the Episcopal Church. Many more are scheduled to follow their lead.
Bishops of the orthodox province were critical of the Windsor Report because it failed to direct liberal churches to the repentance necessary to restore broken communion, as required by the bishop's pastoral letter earlier in the year. The Synod also requested that the Primates meeting establish structures and limits by which the Communion can assure its future.
The carefully worded report from the Southern Cone indicated that the Windsor Report has the tools needed to hold both the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church in Canada accountable for its actions.
VirtueOnline has learned that a declaration will shortly be forthcoming from this province.
Present at the meeting in Santa Cruz, which met on the first week of November, was Canon Bill Atwood, General Secretary of Ekklesia, an Anglican organization that liaisons with a number of Primates in the Global South. He was present at the CAPA meeting of all the African Bishops in Lagos recently.
Primate Gregory Venables was reelected to lead and represent the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone for a further period. In addition, he was given unanimous and unqualified support for those responsibilities and consultations related to the Anglican Communion crisis and to ensure that "dioceses, bishops, churches and individuals who remain faithful to the life and testimony" of the Communion receive pastoral care.
Hector "Tito" Zavala continues as the vice chair. The Southern Cone of the Americas includes the seven dioceses of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Northern Argentina, and Uruguay. The Province was formed in 1983.
END
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