- Anglican Bishop Michael Ingham on blessing same-sex unions

– ONE HAND CLAPPING: “From this week’s United Church of the Zeitgeist General Synod” … (mcj.blog)

– KRAALSPACE– Winnipeg synod windup; Oh, and one last thing … (kraalspace.blog)

– MAGISTATS– Michael Ingham hits a new low; comments … (magicstatistics)

– FELIX HOMINUM: Ingham, homophobia & the apostles’ fellowship; If bishops are not core doctrine … (joewalker.blog)

– WASHINGTON: Canadian gay marriage vote blow to US Anglicans … (virtueonline)

– JOHN OAKES: Back to Basics … (johnoakes.blog)

– CHRISTIAN TODAY: Mixed Emotions Greet Canadian Anglicans Same-Sex Motion Defeat … (christiantoday)

DRELL: Diocese of New Westminster To Continue To Bless Same Sex Unions Despite Decision of Synod

Officially Speaking

DIO NEW WESTMINSTER– Bishop says diocese will study General Synod decisions — General Synod turns down blessing by narrow margin

26 Jun - Monday Synod on Demand
26 Jun - CoGS membership 2007-2010 (PDF format)
26 Jun - Corrected: General Synod Highlights – June 25 (PDF format)

Epitaph, Anglican Church of Canada,

died slow and messily, 2007:

“Bishop Fred Hiltz, the national church’s newly elected primate, officially took up his office Monday. He suggested that the New Westminster diocese be allowed to continue in spite of Sunday’s vote.“

+

RESPONSIO– Essentials Network Statement

MAGISTATS– Primates likely to criticise Canada’s ambiguity on same-sex blessings

- ESSENTIALS BLOGGER: General Synod afternoon session 25/6/07 — Post General Synod 2007 thoughts

SQUAT, COMMA, LESS THAN– “So what do the apparently contradictory Anglican Church of Canada General Synod same-sex votes mean anyway? According to incoming Primate Fred Hiltz, not much of anything at all”

- INGHAM BACKLASH, via Canada’s liberal pipeline to the media, Michael Valpy

- New Westminster Anglicans to continue blessing gay unions (CBC News)

- MEDIA: Anglican Church ‘fiddling away while Rome is burning’; Some fear conference missed biggest issue: slumping membership — Anglican ‘No’ vote threatens future gay unions in B.C. — Anglicans won’t bless gay unions — WINNIPEG: Ecclesiastical provinces to be reviewed — Montreal Anglicans dismayed by same-sex blessing vote — Same-sex issue won’t go away: Moulton

Essentials Über-Blogger Peter Lillington

91 COMMENTS ENSUED: Authorization for Same-Sex Blessings Fails in Canadian Synod

AGE TO COME: “Something interesting”

- LOTS OF PIX: Photos from General Synod 2007

ESSENTIALS: General Synod Update – Sunday June 24, 2007

NEALE ADAMS: Last two GS07 Postings

LIFESITE: No Theological Opposition to Homosexual Unions, but No Same-Sex Blessings: Canadian Anglicans

CANADIAN Anglicans took a hesitant, ambiguous step toward expansion of gay rights on the weekend

FELIX HOMINUM: speaking of digestion

THE BOUNDARIES OF BLESSING, by Claire Ward

BYFIELD– Anglicans dodge expulsion

COMMENT: “From a devil’s advocate perspective, has not local option carried the day?”

NEW ANGLICAN Primate installed amid pageantry and ceremony, ugly vestments

ANGLICAN JOURNAL DAILY– Issue 7, June 26, 2007 (PDF format)

JOURNAL– Emotions run high after blessings defeated

CANADA: Synod commits to pastoral care of same-gender couples, rejects membership of Primates on ACC

ESSENTIALS BLOGGER: General Synod morning session 25/6/07

FELIX HOMINUM– New West Resolution withdrawn

MEDIA: Timeline of the Anglican Church same-sex debate — Anglicans move closer to blessing same sex unions –

VIDEO: A CTV Video Report on the Canadian Anglican Same Sex Union Vote

ANGLICAN JOURNAL DAILY– Issue 6, June 25, 2007 (PDF format)

FEDERATION: General Synod Update: June 24, 2007

ACC General Synod Resolution A189

BE IT RESOLVED:

That this General Synod request the Council of General Synod to consider a revision of Canon 21 (On Marriage) including theological rationale to allow marriage of all legally qualified persons and to report back to General Synod 2010

Passed in both orders of the ACC

In 1971 there was an average of 38,249 Anglicans in each diocese, according to the parish rolls. By 2001, that number had dropped to 21,395. Twenty dioceses had numbers below this average. (…)

FRESH WHINGING from the CaNN News Editor– CaNN Commentary: “They Have A Point”

Reverend Andrew Hutchison (right), Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, addresses delegates at the Canadian Anglican Church General Synod in Winnipeg on June 23, 2007. (CP / John Woods)

CaNN Commentary Passing Fragments of Thought

Whew.

While +Andy Hutchinson doesn’t get his legacy prize, dumping a deeply divided church into the lap of Primate-Elect Fred Hiltz, let’s remember some things.

Despite all the pre-digested maneuvering; despite all the lobbying and one-sided institutional pressure (not least from the Primate, and at least 1/2 the House of Bishops); despite the last-minute stunt of lowering the vote-bar from 60% to 50%, the liberals only won half their game

So in all the Monday-morning quarterbacking, let’s give thanks to the faithful members of the Canadian House of Bishops. Further, a bouquet to (1) to all the faithful folks on the ground at GS07, who’ve been an inspiration; (2) all the bloggers and communicators keeping folks in the loop; (3) the GS delegates who made sure that this vote was done by houses, so that it needed to pass in all three to get through; (4) and let’s remember that by the previously agreed 60% standard, the controversial motion failed in all three houses. Lose, lose, lose.

Yes, this is still a giant festering heart-breaking mess, but perhaps the actual Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, has given Canadian Anglican one last chance to rally before our candle-stick is removed.

Binks

P.S. It ain’t over until it is over.

P.P.S. The liberals get to spin this into “See? we waited, just like youse said!” at Lambeth 08.

P.P.P.S. This can be seen as a minor rebuke to the outgoing Primate, and to the Primate-Elect , who both favour SSBs.

TODAY is Michael Ingham’s B001 “Grandfathering” motion. Should be interesting to watch. Text here: Blessing couples in covenanted same-sex unions. Let’s pray he has a disappointing day, everybody!

- ESSENTIALS BLOGGER: Information for Mondays’ session.. and read the comments, too

- PISKIE COFFEE: Synod Narrowly Defeats Same-sex Blessings

- MEDIA: Anglicans vote against same-sex blessings — Bishops narrowly overturn vote to approve gay union — No gay blessings in Canada Church — Canada Anglicans Won’t Bless Gay Couples — Blessing of Same-Sex Union Rejected By Canadian Anglican — Canada’s bishops veto synod

- MAGISTATS notes the whining: “It’s all the bishops’ fault“

- KENDALL HARMON’S GS07 linkery. He called it

- NEW WESTMINSTER minion Neale Adams isn’t amused

- FELIX HOMINUM: At the end of the vote, what Edmonton did

Officially Speaking

24 Jun - Orders of the Day – June 24 (PDF format)
24 Jun - Saturday Synod of Demand

JOURNAL DAILY: Issue 5, June 24, 2007 (PDF format)

- JOURNAL: Synod narrowly defeats same-sex blessings

MCJ BLOGGER– “LEMMINGS:The Anglican Church of Canada starts over the cliff”

STAND FIRM: Authorization for Same-Sex Blessings Fails in Canadian Synod; Anglican Church of Canada Declares SSB ‘Not in Confict’ with Core Doctrine

ESSENTIALS BLOGGER: General Synod afternoon session 24/6/07; A house divided against itself

FEDERATION: General Synod Update: June 23, 2007

Media: Anglican bishops shoot down same-sex marriage blessings; Anglicans vote no on blessing same-sex unions

Officially Speaking

Anglican Journal: Synod narrowly defeats same-sex blessings

- The webcast will return Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm CDT.

NOW FORMER ANGLICAN Professor Douglas Farrow saw the writing on the wall after the 2004 General Synod; more here

COVERAGE– ENS tootles the trumpet: Same-gender blessings consistent with core doctrine, Canadian Church agrees — Church takes first steps to blessing same-sex unions; Anglican Church moves closer to blessing same sex unions… as one observer notes, “Now New Westminster can argue that what they are already doing isn’t wrong”

PETER OULD: If you’re going to debate doctrine, then debate doctrine

WORTH A PEEK– Conservative Christians for a Just and Respectful Response to those who experience same-sex attraction

THINKISH ANGLICRINGE: Canadian update

HMMMM.. “The Holy Spirit has now it seems told the Canadian Church that the blessings of SSU’s is not in conflict with the core doctrine of the Anglican Church of Canada. But He only seemed to tell about half the Bishops that and quite a few laity weren’t listening clearly to Him. Or is He saying two different things? I have always said the St. Michael’s Report was a Trojan Horse. It’s absurd dealing with various layers of doctrine has now borne its fruit.”

The New Church Anthem for the ACC

WELCOME TO YOUR SHINY NEW SECTARIAN UNCHURCH– Same-sex blessings consistent with core doctrine. St. Michael’s Report effectively dumped (Anglican Journal)

NEXT UP.. the biggie. Will liberals vote strategically against this one in light of the success of 186, and a sure thing in 2010 (after Lambeth 08)? Then they can look all moderate & stuff, and be 8 years from another Lambeth (and be rid of more conservative deadwood tired of the circus)? We’re just sayin;, that’s all. See? Thinking liberal is so easy, anybody with half a brain can do!

CARRIED: A186 Blessing of Same Sex Unions – Core Doctrine of ACC.. That this General Synod resolves that the blessing of same-sex unions is consistent with the core doctrine of The Anglican Church of Canada.

THERE’S A chat-room over here being run by Peter Ould (formerly of Anglican Mainstream)

THOUGH WITH bleeding fingers, Essentials Blogger Pete Lillington (of Age To Come) is doing yoeman’s service, and reporting what’s going on blow by blow.. even as the video remains overloaded. A motion to refer to 2010 failed by a mere six votes just a little while ago. SO CLOSE…

MORE ON PRIMATE-ELECT HILTZ– “Still, the Rev. Canon Charlie Masters, head of the conservative Canadian group Anglican Essentials, said the election of Hiltz raised “fears” about the future of the denomination. “He is the first bishop who has publicly given his support to same-sex marriage so there are concerns of his position,” Masters said.” Via

Point of Order..
as the online video freezes

+York at the mike, cautioning people

about attributing things to the Holy Spirit

LENT & BEYOND: An excerpt from The Lorica, or, St. Patrick’s Breastplate, for our Canadian brothers and sisters

ONE RECENT TAKE on the new Primate

Dear Peter:

What a welcome service you’re providing on this blog. It’s been invaluable to this blogger, and to so many others.

The proceedings as I’ve watched them remind me that the pooling of ignorance in search of truth is not the best standard of the Church; and that self-confident radicals operating through synods are NOT the equivalent of an ecumenical council, nor a Pope, nor the doctrine and worship of the Anglican formularies. Trying to change fundamental moral and theological realities by such means is deeply offensive not only to the magisterial Reformation, but the wider catholic church now and down the ages.

The real challenge here is not the power to make stuff up according to the spirit of the age or social engineering or our good intentions, but to ask “By what authority?” and “Where shall we draw this or any line?” That question is the ghostly giant striding through the General Synod hall.

May the witness and example and prayers of Blessed Saint John the Baptist– patron-saint of Canada– through the blessing of the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit forestall this destruction we are willing upon ourselves, this departing from God’s express will and purpose.

Endless debate and discussion of settled matters will not do; or if made to do, they won’t do very well. The liberal Anglican circle is not being drawn ever-wider, but is shrinking into irrelevance and evil and confusion and schism.

Pray for me, as sinner,

Binks
CaNN Webhamster

- AND WE’RE OFF: General Synod morning session 24/6/07

JUST UP: Carnival of the Anglican Crisis

ONLINE VID: Watch General Synod live.

- MAGIC STATISTICS: Anglican Church of Canada lowers the bar for same-sex blessings

A voice on the Synod floor from one Aboriginal Youth

My name is Dean Sewap from Cree Pelican, the Diocese of Saskatchewan. If this is passed I would feel that to be faithful in my walk with Jesus, I would need to leave the Anglican Church. I don’t want to leave. I love my church. First nations parishes feel strongly about this but I feel that our voice is not being heard. Please be patient with us. Now is not the time to go ahead with this. God bless you.

THE SEQUEL: Saskatchewan Youth Delegate elected to Church’s executive body

- FELIX HOMINUM: Reflections on Conflict & Core Doctrine motion; Quote of the day #2; Lutherans Defeat Same Sex Blessings Resolution; Anglican Church of Canada becomes Municipal Gov’t

- ESSENTIALS BLOGGER: For such a time as this: “It seems to me that this will go to the wire in the House of Bishops..”

- JOHN OAKES: “Still Pending“

- MEDIA: Same-sex union decision stalls; Anglican Church of Canada defers vote on blessing same-sex unions; Anglicans face same sex debate

COMMENTS continue to ensue: Bishop Fred Hiltz elected Anglican Primate

- FRESH NEALE: “Draw the Circle Wide“.. “Nova Scotia and PEI is the diocese that will host the General Synod in 2010, so after a short presentation they invited us all to a party in the hotel, complete with some Celtic dancing”

Neale Vid

- MORE MEDIA: Anglican Church of Canada disagrees on process for vote on same-sex union; Sin or sacrament?; And one more

Officially Speaking

- JOURNAL: Debate continues on same-sex blessings

- JOURNAL DAILY: Issue 5, June 24, 2007 (PDF format)

- ACC: Same-sex blessing debate to continue … The Synodites have lowered the ruination-vote to a mere 50%+1. The Anglican & Christian world looks on in sorrow, but the demons rejoice. God willing, the larger body of GenSyn delegates will realize this very much IS a communion-splitting issue. Carpe doom?

- ACC: Synod approves St. Michael Report

-MRS. PRIMATE-ELECT: Lynne Samways Hiltz now looking forward to life in Toronto

- ACC: Resolutions on bishops get first reading

Synod on Demand: Episode 5: Friday, June 22, 2007

- CTV: Anglican Church of Canada debates same-sex unions

- Canadian Press: Anglican Church of Canada to debate whether to bless same-sex unions

- A Saturday Night Thought While Watching the Anglican Church of Canada Synod Debate

- Anglican church to vote on blessing same-sex unions

- Anglican Church of Canada debates same-sex unions

- Notable and Quotable

- The Canadian General Synod Afternoon Session from the Committee as a whole

ESSENTIALS BLOGGER– General Synod afternoon session 23/6/07

FELIX HOMINUM (updated) — for those looking for play by play bloggin’

Watch General Synod live.Lots of procedural funsies, and spoon-feeding from the pro-side (draw the circle as you are told!). Defining debate and possible vote on The Divisive Issue this evening– be patient: the live video feed may be slow with all lthe people trying to watch, starting 7pm CDT.

In case of the 60% yes vote (not unlikely, since ++Fred has signalled yes, but it must go according to The Vox Synod: Vox Dei Process™), we’ve had no word or indication of any walk-out or public statement: sadly, the Archbishop of Canterbury blew a golden final opportunity for Canadian Anglicanism when he decided to invite everybody– no matter what– for tea & crumpets at Lambeth. Now, there’s no rallying-point or consequence for a vote. This should go down as the worst decision of his primacy, and the fallout is what we are seeing now.

Binks, CaNN Webhamster

– NOVA SCOTIAN bishop to head Anglican Church of Canada — Fred Hiltz is coy when asked about his views on same-sex unions: “Hiltz made no secret of his irritation toward fellow bishops in African countries or “provinces,” who have imposed themselves in the affairs of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church by assuming “oversight” of conservative North American congregations who were unhappy with the liberal views of their own bishops.”… (hfxnews)

Watch General Synod live.

– LENT & BEYOND– Renew a right spirit … (lent)

– JUST NOT GETTING IT: “The Anglican Church of Canada General Synod has just passed this resolution” … (babybluecafe.blog)

– ESSENTIALS BLOGGER: General Synod morning session 23/6/07; a Solid Ground video … (anglicanessentials.ca)

– ANGLICANS HOLD BREATH for vote result … (hamiltonspectator)

– IMAGINARY PEOPLE SPEAK OUT– Open Letter to the Members of General Synod 2007, June 2007 … (zacchaeus.ca)

– KRAALSPACE– “Well. That’s…it, then, eh?” … (kraalspace.blog)

– CANADIAN ANGLICANS vote Saturday on same-sex blessings; Headline: “Anglicans vote Saturday on same-sex blessings” – raises question … (transfigurations.blog)

– STRANGE GODS: Fittingly the opening hymn for the ACC General Synod 2007 is the androgyneous ‘She Flies On’ hymn … (anglican.ca)

– CHURCH FACES new gay row … (telegraph)

– WINNIPEG — The new head of the Anglican Church of Canada had been elected for only a few minutes yesterday when he faced questions about where he stands on same-sex unions … (theglobeandmail)

– THOUGHTS ON The lie of inclusivity … (sameo416)

– NO, REALLY– “Addressing a large-group conversation at the Canadian Church’s General Synod, Bonnie Anderson, president of The Episcopal Church’s House of Deputies, acknowledged that a “small number” of dioceses had members who were upset with the Church’s decisions…”… (prayersthatmatter.blog)

– FROM REUTERS: Canadian Anglicans eye split over same-sex unions … (kendallharmon)

– FELIX HOMINUM– “for those looking for play by play bloggin’” … (felixhominum)

– IT’S ABOUT SAYING “IT’S ABOUT” A LOT– “In a statement about primacy published along with his biographical profile, Bishop Hiltz stated the job of Canadian primate “involves what someone once described as ‘pushing the boat out from the shore,’ launching out into the deep. It’s about raising sights, broadening horizons. It’s about ‘drawing the circle wide, drawing it wider still.’ It’s about the work of respecting the dignity of every human being, building a just society, and announcing the reign of God.” … (livingchurch)

– ANGLICANS CHOOSE Maritime bishop as new leader; Fred Hiltz, bishop of N.S. and P.E.I., elected new leader of Anglican Church … (canada.com, cbc)

– SARMIENTO & CO. — Hiltz is new Canadian primate … (thinkinganglicans)

– CDN. FEDERATION: General Synod Update: June 22, 2007 … (anglicanfederation)

– MORE Neale Adams … (generalsynod.blog)

Lots Of Anglican Drama These Days

Officially Speaking

– DAILY ANGLICAN JOURNAL– Issue 4, June 23, 2007 (PDF format) … (anglicanjournal)

– ORDERS of the Day – June 23 (PDF format); General Synod Highlights – June 22 (PDF format) … (Ang.ca)

– PRIMATE-ELECT HILTZ– Statement about Primacy (scroll down) … (anglican.ca)

– TRIBUTE to a trailblazer and a ‘beginning moment for Mark MacDonald … (anglican.ca)

- 23 JUN – Toronto’s Falby elected Deputy Prolocutor

– STAND FIRM COMMENTS: Bishop Fred Hiltz elected Anglican Primate … (sf)

– AGE TO COME– “The grief of the Father” — Here is a prophetic word spoken to me last night at General Synod. It has been confirmed by others here in Winnipeg” … (theagetocome)

– DARK CLOUDS gathering in the North: “Uh oh … Bishop Fred Hiltz elected as Anglican Church of Canada Archbishop”… (babybluecafe.blog)

– FELIX HOMINUM– How Bishop Matthews handled it; Kenneth Kearon & I Solving World Problems… (joewalker.blog)

– COMMENTS ON David G Mullan’s Two Letters to Fred Hiltz … (kh)

– JOHN OAKES– A New Primate … (johnoakes.blog)

– REUTERS: “Canadian Anglicans eye split over same-sex unions” … (reuters)

– WFN NEWS: “Canada elects Fred Hiltz as 13th Primate” … (wfn.org)

– VIA T-19: “Same-gender marriage troubles Anglican priests” … (kg)

– ESSENTIALS BLOGGER– Writing from the deluxe facility; Now for the rest of the day; General Synod evening session 21/6/07 … (anglicanessentials.ca)

– STEPHEN RIPLEY: Canadian Anglicans Should Continue to Lead Social Change … (kendallharmon)

– MEDIA: Fred Hiltz, bishop of N.S. and P.E.I., elected new leader of Anglican Church … (hfxnews)

Officially Speaking

– A COY BOY– New primate keeps mum about blessings vote (spoiler: strongly in favour: see under “Faith Worship and Ministry Report”.. holy Due Process™ must be observed). Go dig around here a bit … (AJ, Ang.ca, Google)

– HILTZ ELECTED primate on fifth ballot… (anglicanjournal)

– ANGLICAN Youth meet primatial delegates over breakfast… (anglicanjournal.com)