Montreal diocese becomes second to urge same-sex blessings

Posted by Kendall Harmon

The annual synod of the Anglican Diocese of Montreal has become the second to urge its bishop to allow clergy to bless previously solemnized civil marriages between same-sex couples.

Bishop Barry Clarke, who himself concurred in the Oct. 19 vote, told reporters after the vote that he is “glad we came to a place where we made a decision.”

He said some Anglicans in the diocese may not he happy with the decision, “but at least we can say we are out there and we can say that's where we stand.” He told delegates at the close of the debate that, “I want to say how impressed I am with all of you.” He added, “I will consider seriously what I have heard today. I will take it into serious and prayerful consideration. I am a pastor at heart.”

However, he said in a statement that the decision makes no immediate change in the policies and practice of the diocese. He would bring the results of the vote to a meeting of the Canadian house of bishops Oct.25-30 in London, Ont.

Read it all.

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

9 Comments
Posted October 20, 2007 at 11:13 am [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. azusa wrote:

What about polyamorous blessings too? Justice for concubines now!

October 20, 11:41 am | [comment link]
2. SouthCoast wrote:

Where are we going? And why are we in this handbasket?

October 20, 12:20 pm | [comment link]
3. AnglicanFirst wrote:

Another Anglican diocese that will make itself ‘out of communion’ with the Anglican Communion and will forgo any chance of being ‘in communion’ with the rest of the Church Catholic.

In other words, if the Diocese of Montreal carries through with same-sex blessings and the approval of actively gay clergy, then it will cease to be part of the Church Catholic.

October 20, 1:25 pm | [comment link]
4. Bob Penn wrote:

The diocese of pittsburgh has licensed actively known/partnered gays working in this diocese.  Please, Don’t think Duncan has a pure clergy, NOT! 
I’m sorry to burst your bubble but this diocese has licensed and found places for gays to be ordained although Duncan won’t do it personally.  Duncan in fact recommended a man for ordination to another gay friendly diocesan.  Duncan wouldn’t do it himself but felt that God did call this individual to the priesthood ( God say’s yes but I can’t do it,  sound familiar?).

How many diocese do you think ordain actively gay clergy in the CofE, or Wales, Scotland, Canada, Austrailia or even South Africa???

October 20, 1:55 pm | [comment link]
5. Christopher Hathaway wrote:

bob, you gat names for your accusations?

October 20, 4:00 pm | [comment link]
6. Bob Penn wrote:

Actually yes, I gat names.  It’s not a secret in pgh.  Of course I will not disclose them on this blog.  If you have any cronies in Pittsburgh just ask them or ask Duncan.  I’d like to say Pgh isn’t the only conservative diocese that has licenses homosexual clergy.

October 20, 5:44 pm | [comment link]
7. AnglicanFirst wrote:

Well, Bob Penn, if your allegation is true, then +Bob has some explaining to do. 

But, if your allegation is an attempt to ‘muddy the waters’ during a crucial juncture of the Anglican Communion, then maybe you have some explaining to do.

In any case, nobody who is engaged in active sexual activity outside of a marriage between a man and a woman has any right to be considered to be an ordained member of the Church Catholic unless he is a totally celibate person.

Those of you who may want to ‘decree it so’ do not have the authority of the Church Catholic nor the Holy Spirit to ‘make it so.’

When the Holy Spirit speaks with His authority, His message will be clear and will ‘clear out’ the cobwebs of weak theology.

October 20, 7:14 pm | [comment link]
8. AnglicanFirst wrote:

Please modify my sentence
“In any case, nobody who is engaged in active sexual activity outside of a marriage between a man and a woman has any right to be considered to be an ordained member of the Church Catholic unless he is a totally celibate person. “

to read

“In any case, nobody who is engaged in active sexual activity outside of a marriage between a man and a woman has any right to be considered to be an ordained member of the Church Catholic. ”

October 20, 7:28 pm | [comment link]
9. azusa wrote:

#6: Bob Penn: you should put up or shut up. Disclose the names or withdraw your allegation against Duncan. Do not bear false witness.

October 21, 1:55 am | [comment link]
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