One of the most difficult tasks members of General Synod will likely face when they gather in St. Catharines, Ont., at the end of May 2004, is a discussion around the issue of the blessing of same-sex unions.
The issue is among the most divisive matter facing the Anglican Communion and General Synod members will be asked to deal with it even as a special commission struck by the Archbishop of Canterbury considers the implications of same-sex blessings for the worldwide communion. The commission is due to report in October 2004.
In Canada, the blessing of same-sex unions has been controversial since 2002 when, having been asked three times by his diocesan synod to do so, Bishop Michael Ingham of the diocese of New Westminster agreed to authorize a rite for the blessings.
Bishop Ingham’s decision prompted a great deal of debate as people tried to understand the position taken and how it might or might not affect the life of the Anglican Church of Canada. In response to that, the Council of General Synod (CoGS) — the chief governing body of the Anglican Church of Canada when General Synod itself is not in session — mandated the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee (FWM) to seek ways in which the church could prepare for the discussions, which will take place at General Synod next month.
FWM responded by hiring a consultant, Linda Graff and Associate of Dundas, Ont. to gather information and insights for the discussion.
According to the Graff final report on “Consultation on the Blessing of Same-Sex Relationships, March 2004” research participants expressed different feelings towards the issue of same-sex unions. Some people felt the issue will divide the church, others felt that the issue should not be discussed at all and others felt that the Anglican church needs more time to reflect before making any decision.
The consultants recommended that the issue be discussed at General Synod 2004, but that a final decision be delayed until the next General Synod in 2007. In February, the Faith, Worship and Ministry committee discussed the consultants’ report and decided to bring a motion to the 2004 General Synod nonetheless.
In March, CoGS formally approved the motions that would go to General Synod. The five-part motion brought to CoGS by the FWM committee asked General Synod to “affirm that even in the face of deeply held convictions about whether the blessing of committed same-sex unions is contrary to the doctrine and teaching of the Anglican Church of Canada, we recognize that through our baptism we are members one of another in Christ Jesus, and we commit ourselves to strive for that communion into which Christ continually calls us.”
The motion goes on to ask that General Synod “affirm the authority and jurisdiction of any diocesan synod, with the concurrence of its bishop, to authorize the blessing of committed same-sex unions.”
That motion will now go to General Synod, the church’s main legislative and governing body made up of delegates from each of the church’s 30 dioceses.
“It should be clear from the onset that the motion is the basis for the discussion of General Synod and that Synod 2004 is not asked to make a decision on the issue but to approve that the decision on same-sex blessings will rest with the diocese,” explained the Rev. Canon Eric Beresford, Anglican Church of Canada, consultant for ethics and interfaith relations.
He added that the motion, “clearly reflects the current state of affairs,” where some dioceses have been making decision already. The motion does not essentially change anything, he stressed, but rather leaves the jurisdiction where it presently lies, with the dioceses.
The motion also acknowledges that there are disagreements on the issue and asks Anglicans to commit themselves “to strive for that communion into which Christ continually calls us.”
Now, with General Synod approaching, FWM committee is working to create an appropriate format for the General Synod discussion.
Three sessions have been set aside for the discussions on blessing of same-sex unions. The first session will be held on Saturday May 29 and the second sessions will be on Tuesday, June 1 and the final session is set for June 2, 2004.
During the first two sessions, time will be given to discuss the five clauses of the motion separately. “Each clause will be presented first by a presenter followed by group discussions at the tables,” said Mr. Beresford, adding that “the presentations and group discussions will give delegates time to digest each of the clause and dialogue with each other on the issue before it is brought forward to the plenary for a fuller debate.”
The presenters will be expected to share some of the history of the dialogue leading the FWM Committee to suggest the clause under discussion. “The presentations are meant to enable a useful discussion to take place in the table groups,” said Beresford.
Notes from the group discussions will be put together in preparation for presentation of the resolution in the final session. The motion will be presented to the floor for a fuller debate.
“Whether delegates will agree or not on the motion, that is yet to be seen. We hope that the discussions will bring us closer together and not divide us further,” said Mr. Beresford.
For further information please contact:
Rev. Canon Eric Beresford
Anglican Church of Canada
Consultant for Ethics and Interfaith relations
The full report on Consultation on the Blessing of Same-Sex Relationships: March 2004 generalsynod.anglican.ca/ministries
/departments/graff/index.html
The full text of the Motions on Blessing of Same-sex unions