Varying interpretations of the decisions made in June by General Synod about human sexuality have already led one Canadian parish to publicly offer blessings to same-gender unions, and another to say that it would not deny a parishioner\u2019s request for a same-sex marriage.<\/p>\n
During its seven-day national meeting in Winnipeg last June 19 to 25, the church\u2019s highest governing body approved a resolution saying that same-sex blessings are \u201cnot in conflict\u201d\u009d with the church\u2019s core doctrine but defeated another that would have given dioceses the power to offer them in churches.<\/p>\n
Rev. Jim Ferry, who was fired in 1991 for defying his bishop\u2019s order to end a homosexual relationship, believes there is enough ambiguity in those decisions that it is left open to dioceses and churches to offer same-sex blessings. (Although he lost his licence in the \u201990s, he has since been given some duties at Holy Trinity church in downtown Toronto.)<\/p>\n
\u201cI think at first there was some confusion (regarding the decisions on sexuality). But after having reflected on them, it seemed that the most important of the two resolutions (the one stating same-sex blessings are \u201cnot in conflict\u201d\u009d with Anglican core doctrine) had passed,\u201d\u009d said Mr. Ferry. \u201cIt\u2019s very positive. It moves us out of the realm of canon law into pastoral decision making.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n