The motion for further study and conversation was passed by clergy and laity, 129 to 99 and by the bishops, 19 to 17.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis provides a way for this badly-divided church to dialogue about these important matters,\u201d\u009d said Martin Taylor of the diocese of Montreal. George Power of British Columbia said, \u201cWhat I heard (on the permission issue) was not a \u201d\u02dcno,\u2019 but a \u201d\u02dcnot yet but very soon.\u2019 This will encourage people who are opposed and need to start a process of discussion.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are asking to develop a process to engage the church,\u201d\u009d said Bishop Cowan, who said the conversation must include human sexuality as a whole.<\/p>\n
Opponents said the church has already produced many studies on the topic in the last 30 years. \u201cWe don\u2019t need another study on human sexuality. There are libraries on this topic. We need people to read them,\u201d\u009d said Bishop Ingham, who added that the theological commission was intended to \u201cstimulate theological thinking,\u201d\u009d not be a \u201ctheological watchdog.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Among other motions touching on the issue, synod also defeated calls that the issue be decided by a greater margin than usual \u201d\u201c 60 per cent or 66 per cent. The usual synod rule \u201d\u201c a simple majority of 50 per cent plus one \u201d\u201c applied, although a tie would have defeated a motion. The addition of a \u201cconscience clause\u201d\u009d that would have protected clergy and parishes who do not agree with same-sex blessings was also defeated.<\/p>\n