The Anglican Church of Canada moves closer to blessing same sex unions

http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=39963&sc=89

[The Daily News] 25 June 2007--Canadian Anglicans inched closer towards blessing same sex unions, but stopped short of giving priests the power to perform ceremonies.

The Anglican Church of Canada agreed that same sex blessings do not conflict with its core doctrine, a decision that paves the way for the practice.

But ultimately, delegates voting Sunday at the General Synod rejected the idea of letting individual dioceses decide whether their priests could perform blessing ceremonies for same sex couples who were married in civil ceremonies.

"So on the one hand, we said it is a matter of doctrine, but not credal, that is, not essential to one's salvation, shall we say. But on the other hand, the church is not prepared... to proceed immediately with the blessing of same sex unions," said Archbishop-elect Fred Hiltz, who will be installed as the church's new primate Monday evening.

Supporters and opponents of same sex blessings call the decisions confusing.