BROTHERS:

The decision by assembled clerics and delegates at Ottawa may not be funny 
"ha ha" but it is funny in the sense of strange.

Four months after the Canadian New Westminster Diocese followed its bishop 
in making a disastrous decision that immediately cost the diocese 1/3 of its 
churches, income, and clergy, the diocese of Ottawa "decides" that it needs 
another 12 months to determine whether it will fall into the same ditch.

Go figure.

Charles

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CANADIAN DIOCESE OF OTTAWA DITHERS


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SOLANGE DE SANTIS
STAFF WRITER, ANGLICAN JOURNAL
OTTAWA Oct. 23, 2002 - Four months after the diocese of New Westminster
voted to permit a formal blessing ceremony for homosexual couples,
Ottawa is the second Canadian Anglican diocese to consider the idea, but
decided it needs more discussion and study.
      Delegates at Ottawa's annual synod, Oct. 18-19, considered a
motion to ask their bishop to authorize clergy in parishes that wish to
bless same-sex relationships.
      They also considered a competing proposal to adopt the existing
positions of the Canadian house of bishops and of the 1998 Lambeth
Conference, both of which have opposed blessing homosexual
relationships.
      Synod voted to refer both motions to the diocesan executive
committee and directed the committee to form a task force that will
consider the implications of any decision concerning the blessing of
same-sex unions.

Ottawa bishop Peter Coffin
(photos by Solange de Santis)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

      "It's the first time this has come before this synod. I think this
was a very generous conversation. People were really saying we need to
discuss this and take more time," said diocesan bishop Peter Coffin at a
news conference following a 45-minute debate on the motion.
      When asked if he would have approved the same-sex motion if it had
passed, he replied, "No. That would be simplistic and premature. I'm
hearing that people want more discussion. I want to help the
conversation along. I want to listen more intently."
      Several of 16 speakers during the debate expressed a need for more
information and discussion. "We need a time and process for talking with
each other. Let's not try to come to a snap decision," said Rev. Richard
Pitcher.
      "We should be talking to gays and lesbians," said delegate Antonia
Larsen.
      Another delegate, Archdeacon Tim Parent, urged "that the
discussion be based on the right kinds of theological grounds."
      Delegate Susan Becker-Davidson said, "I still have many questions"
and said she wanted to pose them "in an easier forum than this synod."
      Speakers expressed a wide variety of opinion about homosexuality
and the place of homosexuals within the church. One speaker, supporting
the motion, said it would "mark the beginnings of the church's response
to an urgent pastoral need" and that "withholding it contradicts our
baptismal vows."
      Delegate Ray Dickson said he believed that "there are cases where
homosexuality can be a learned behaviour" and that he knew someone who
"was convinced he was gay until he met the right lady."
      Rob Brooks pointed out that the issue is "divisive," citing New
Westminster, where eight of 80 parishes are protesting the synod's
decision.

Canon Garth Bulmer, who presented the motion asking the bishop to
authorize clergy in parishes that wish to bless same-sex relationships.
Also pictured is Shelagh M'Gonigle, who seconded the motion.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

      Canon Garth Bulmer, who presented the motion, said he wanted "my
church to say to gay couples that they are not perverted, sick or acting
contrary to God's word and acknowledge that their relationships can be
every bit as wholesome as heterosexuals." As to whether the issue is
divisive, Canon Bulmer noted that practices relating to the ordination
of women vary throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion. "We have
learned to deal with differences throughout our communion." He also said
he agreed with those who are calling for more discussion.

Rev. George Sinclair
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

      During the debate, Rev. George Sinclair said that six passages in
the Bible "speak clearly that same-sex sex acts are contrary to God’s
will." God "desires us to be faithful in heterosexual marriage or
celibate in singleness. We can't bless people who have sex outside
marriage or affairs outside marriage," he said. In an interview after
the votes, Mr. Sinclair said he believes "Anglicans would like the issue
to go away," and said it was odd that synod "didn't want to take a
position with the Anglican house of bishops."
      In an interview, Ron Chaplin, a gay member of Canon Bulmer's
parish who was observing synod but was not a delegate, explained why a
blessing ceremony is important for many gay Anglicans. "It is the
recognition. There is a meaning. You are making a promise to each other
before God. (Participants) have come to witness it and support it." Mr.
Chaplin is a member of a group that was formed in 1997 at the direction
of the diocesan synod to promote dialogue and discussion around the
issue of homosexuality generally.
      After the votes to refer, Canon Bulmer said he regretted that "we
couldn't say something clearer," but that he was pleased that discussion
will begin.
      The diocesan task force is to report through the executive
committee to the next regular session of synod, next October in
Cornwall, Ont.

October 23, 2002








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