An Elgin St. church might stop marrying straight couples if blessing same-sex unions isn’t endorsed at the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa’s annual synod in Cornwall later this week.
“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.”
Bulmer hasn’t yet decided to take that step but his church council has discussed it as controversy swirled around Canadian Anglicans and threatened to split the church.
Oh dear do you think someone aught to explain to the Rev Canon, that the Anglican church only knows two sacraments?
Jon R
Maybe I’m missing something but if the General Synod has already voted in June, what’s the point of 140 churches voting now and moreover regardless of their votes the local bishop says he has the final decision anyway. Must not be much of a General Synod if it’s rulings can be so easily disregarded. It’s laughable.
Well here’s a new approach to the Anglican church: Extortion. Very brave. Very principled. How I admire such a man of the cloth. LM
The Roman,
Guess you don’t understand our Canadian system. It is rather well. . . Roman. Many on this site wish that TEC Bishops would show some authority. Canadian Bishops can and still don’t necessarily.
I see a possible scenario playing out in this case: The General Synod has already voted no to ssb’s..let’s say the 140 churches in this diocese then vote yes..and now their bishop who originally voted yes at General Synod votes no to overrule the parish votes and comply with the General Synod. Some scenario.
AH,how good it is when Christians dwell together in unity!
Like oil flowing down Aaron’s beard before the fire gets his robes!
Is this the Global North Psalm for today?
[b][i]Below is a section taken from the St. John’s, Ottawa website. Although the word “Christian” is included several times, the words “Jesus” or “Christ” do not appear a single time.[/b][/i]
[b]We are:[/b]
Christians, part of the Anglican communion;
representative of all ages and ail economic groups;
racially and ethnically diverse; of differing sexual orientations;
married and single; adults, youth and children;
and drawn from all areas of the city, as well as centretown.
[b]But More, We are:[/b]
sympathetic to the struggles that many of us experience throughout life;
aware of and knowledgeable about the legacy of abuse and violence;
indignant about injustice and inequality;
humanly flawed and seeking enlightenment;
[b]But Above All, We are:[/b]
committed to living in respectful community, in God’s name.
[b]We seek To Serve:[/b]
anyone in need, the whole community;
those living with the impact of HIV and AIDS;
those who hear the rhythm of God’s voice in music;
survivors of violence and abuse;
the faithful as well as the seekers.
[b][i]And then, there’s this wonderful gem from Canon Bulmer at the beginning of a message on inclusivity. . .[/b][/i]
I speak to you in the name of God: Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, and Life-giver – source of all that is, and all that shall be. Amen.
[b][i]And last, but certainly not least:[/b][/i]
their billboard boasts the Matthew Fox quote: We are all cosmic Christs.
To offer a bit of contrast, here’s the mission statement of the church I attend in Ottawa:
“Welcome to St. Alban’s Anglican Church. We seek to help ordinary people become confident, joyful, disciples of Christ. We are committed to being a prayer-filled evangelical Anglican church united under Christ, glorifying God and living out the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit. We uphold the authority of the Bible; proclaim the good news of Jesus; support and minister to one another, especially through small groups; raise up new generations of disciples; worship in traditional and contemporary forms; and extend the grace of God into our homes, community and world.”
Pretty good illustration of the two sides preparing for synod this week, I think.
Re: “AH,how good it is when Christians dwell together in unity!
Like oil flowing down Aaron’s beard before the fire gets his robes!”
Giving a whole new meaning to (Sewanee’s) Ecce, Quam Bonum!:
When the unity is in sinfulness and ungodliness;
It is like oil flowing down Aaron’s beard before the fire gets his robes!
(EQB Alumni)
Sinclair has been marginalized??? I don’t think so. No one is forcing him to do anything he doesn’t want to do. It’s the old oppressor claiming he’s oppressed by the victims of his oppression. I don’t buy it!
re 10: Where did that come from? I think you ought to re read the article and find out what he actually said.