Canadian Anglicans to vote on blessing gay couples; church to choose new national leader

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/22/america/NA-REL-Canada-Anglicans.php

[International Herald Tribune] 22 June 2007--Canada's Anglicans are debating whether to allow their churches to bless gay couples at a time when divisions over the Bible and homosexuality are tearing at the world Anglican fellowship.

The Anglican Church of Canada is scheduled to vote at its national meeting Saturday whether to allow priests to bless same-sex unions — a step short of performing gay marriage, which is legal in Canada. Before that vote, delegates will choose a new leader on Friday from a field of four candidates, including a woman, who could become the first female elected to lead the Canadian church.

The world Anglican Communion is already in an uproar over the U.S. Episcopal Church's 2003 consecration of the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.