Toronto Anglicans will start blessing same-sex relationships within a year, the Toronto Star has learned, a move that puts local churches at the forefront of the issue but could inflame an already divisive debate within the church.

"One of the chief purposes of the church is to provide care for people who come to the church in a particular need," Toronto Bishop Colin Johnson told the Star in an exclusive interview.

The move, a first for any diocese in Canada, brings Toronto churches closer than any others in the country to allowing same-sex marriage blessings – the most contentious issue facing Anglicanism today.

It stops just short, however, of offering blessings to gay marriages, offering them instead to couples in "stable long-term committed relationships," according to a policy paper approved by the executive council of the diocese this week and obtained by the Star.

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Provinces • Anglican Church of Canada • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion) • Same-sex blessings

1. GrandpaDino wrote: “One of the chief purposes of the church is to provide care for people who come to the church in a particular need” Oh, I see.  It is the need to affirm abominable behavior. Give me a break! February 1, 9:14 pm | [comment link]

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