There is a “conscience clause” that will permit clergy to opt out of marrying same-sex couples if a change is made to the marriage canon. The question was asked at synod whether legal action could be taken against a cleric who refuses to marry a same-sex couple:
This was the wrong question to ask. What should have been asked was: “if I do get sued will the Anglican Church of Canada pay for my defence?” The law will not protect a clergyman – an expensive defence lawyer will. That will be the real test of the ACoC’s commitment to the conscience clause.
Entirely the wrong question. I suspect the first test cases will have clergy left on their own without any organizational protection. Happy to be proven wrong but there is unfortunately ample bullying in both directions. We won’t know the law until the first case makes it on to the docket.
How long will the clause be in effect? When there was talk of a conscience clause before I believe it was only to be in effect for five years. Is there a guarantee that this will not expire?