The majority of the Anglican Diocese of B.C. representatives are in favour of the church blessing same-sex marriages, and have urged their delegates to the national conference that will decide the issue to approve the controversial topic which is splitting the church.<\/p>\n
A survey of delegates today at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria comes at a sensitive time in the Anglican church worldwide. Schisms have developed between countries with large Anglican populations over whether the church should bless same-sex marriages.<\/p>\n
One hundred and two delegates at a special session for representatives from Vancouver Island and Gulf Island churches said they are in favour of same-sex unions being blessed. They want the issue dealt with in Winnipeg June 19-25 at the national synod, an assembly of church leaders or delegates that discusses and decides upon church affairs.<\/p>\n
“It’s clear the church is moving forward,” said Rev. Peter Elliott, a keynote speaker at the meeting here and the highest-ranking openly gay cleric in the Anglican Church of Canada.<\/p>\n
“The Anglican Church is a big tent. We love and celebrate diversity, and people have the freedom of expressing their convictions.”<\/p>\n
The 102 people who voted in favour of same-sex marriages being blessed and wanted the issue dealt with at the synod represented 51.7 per cent of the delegates.<\/p>\n
Another 27 people voted in favour of same-sex unions being blessed, but thought the issue should wait.<\/p>\n
A total of 45 people said they should never be blessed, and 19 delegates were unsure.<\/p>\n
The survey was taken so the 10 delegates representing the area at the national conference would know local thought on the issue.<\/p>\n
“It is useful for us to know the mindset of the synod delegates as a whole,” said Martin Henry, one of the delegates.<\/p>\n