While the Anglican Church of Canada prepares to vote this week on whether to let priests bless same-sex couples, a relaxed Christopher McBain is celebrating Edmonton's gay pride week with members of his new church.

The former Anglican marched Saturday in the gay pride parade behind a banner for the Robertson-Wesley United Church, a church that welcomes gay, lesbian and transgendered people.

After 15 years as an Anglican, McBain left that church in April 2006.

"I left because of the gay issue," said McBain, who said he never felt comfortable telling people in the Anglican Church he is gay.

The Anglican church's longtime indecision over the issue has served to alienate supporters on both sides, McBain said.

"I'll certainly celebrate with them if they are able to make a decision in favour of gay and lesbian rights, but it certainly won't affect where I worship. It's too little, too late," said McBain, 27.

The issue of blessing same-sex unions is slated to go before the Anglican Church's General Synod, the governing body of the Anglican Church of Canada, which begins its weeklong meeting in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

About 350 delegates representing bishops, clergy and lay people will discuss a so-called "local option" resolution that would let each diocese decide whether to perform the blessings.

Critics have said such a move would split the church.

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Provinces • Anglican Church of Canada • Canadian General Synod 2007 • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion)

1. Albeit wrote: And to think that the Anglican Church of Canada came very, very close to merging with the United Church of Canada.  The HoD voted in favor, while the HoB vetoed it. Why? Only because they feared that the Anglican character of the Anglican Church of Canada would be swallowed up by the much larger United Church of Christ.  Really? The World Council of Churches has been striving to create one huge and singular Protestant Church for many decades now. When you consider what each denomination has to sacrifice in polity, theology and confessionto achieve this, one can only conclude that the end result could be nothing more than “The Church of the Lowest Common Denominator.” June 18, 7:51 am | [comment link]

2. Newbie Anglican wrote: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires . . . 2 Timothy 4:3 June 18, 8:41 am | [comment link]

3. RevOrganist wrote: I am comforted to know McBain felt uncomfortable in the ACC…it shows that God “writing his law on their hearts” still works, despite the ACC and TEC’s attempt to conform to society’s standards. June 18, 5:11 pm | [comment link]

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