The Whole Ball of Wax acquires a new meaning

The Anglican Church of Canada is devoted to championing the marginalised in our society. Before anyone hastily jumps to the conclusion that the ACoC is against murdering babies in the womb, let me reassure your that they are not that prophetic. The ACoC prefers to campaign on behalf of LGBTQ (you can add any more characters, including special or numeric characters, that you like – it’s a bit like choosing a new password) individuals. The “T” for Transgender, is an interesting one. What would our learned bishops who, in addition to the L,Q,G and Bs, support and affirm the Ts because they are too cowardly not to, make of this?

From here:

There’s an important category in logic known as reductio ad absurdum, according to which you contradict an argument by showing that its general application will produce absurd results. It has been in my mind over the past fortnight or so, as I’ve followed a human-rights tribunal in British Columbia, Canada, and watched it deal with complaints made by trans woman Jessica Yaniv (or “Jonathan Yaniv”: The person apparently goes by both names) against three aestheticians. When it comes to the notion that “gender identity”—the self-declared, subjective feeling of being a man or woman—can reasonably be taken to trump biological sex in law and daily life, Yaniv presents us with a reductio ad absurdum on two legs.

For those who have not been following the case (which, oddly, has been covered by the international media, but mostly ignored by Canada’s own press), the details will sound unbelievable. Last year, Yaniv used social media to contact 16 female aestheticians in the Vancouver area, most working out of their own homes, who advertized Brazilian waxing—the removal of some or all of a woman’s pubic hair by applying and then yanking off strips of heated wax.

Sometimes, Yaniv would use the name Jonathan and a clearly male profile pic. Only then, upon being told that Brazilian waxing is for women only, would Yaniv reply to the effect of “I am trans.” The women would then convey that they were unwilling or unqualified to wax male genitalia. At this point, Yaniv would put in a complaint to the human-rights tribunal, alleging discrimination on the basis of gender identity, a protected characteristic under British Columbia’s human-rights code.

Diocese of Athabasca will abide by Marriage Canon vote

The Diocese of Athabasca is one of the few dioceses that is taking the failed vote to change the Marriage Canon seriously: it will not be marrying same-sex couples.

The diocese has also stated that the “Word to the Church” resolution, which did pass, is not an endorsement of a local option; most other bishops have the opposite view. Confusion and ambiguity walking together.

From here:

The one item of discussion that drew most of the attention and energy was the second reading of proposed changes to Canon XXl (the Marriage Canon). A change to this canon requires passage by a 2/3 majority in each of the orders (laity, clergy, and bishops) voting separately at two successive general synods. The proposed change achieved this in 2016 and thus was presented for the second time on July 12th. The resolution failed to pass in the Order of Bishops and was therefore defeated. This means the canon has not changed, and the church did not decide to part ways with the church’s doctrine. As had been foreseen, both the consideration and decision were very difficult and brought pain to those involved and those affected. The day before the resolution was considered, a “Word to the Church” from the Council of General Synod was adopted by the meeting, and this was reflected in a statement issued from the bishops on the Monday following the vote. These both recognize that we do not have unity in our thinking about marriage, understanding of scripture, or pastoral response. These also indicate a commitment to work together and to treat one another with dignity. These statements include an acknowledgement that some bishops, with their dioceses, have chosen to allow for some expression of same-sex marriage (what has been called “local option”). While some have interpreted this as affirmation or endorsement of “local option”, this is not accurate. The Diocese of Athabasca will continue to live within the bounds of the current canon and doctrine of the Church Catholic. While doing so, it is with the expectation that every person who comes to the church or who we encounter is treated with grace and honour. All who wish to live as disciples of Jesus are welcome as part of our Christian family.

Pastoral statements from the Dioceses of Central Newfoundland and Algoma

Mainline churches used to fear the Charismatic movement because of what they considered overly emotional displays seen during worship. Just as the liberal church has stolen much of the language of successful conservative churches – as if success is somehow embodied in the language – so, finally, liberals have appropriated Charismatic emotionalism. Except the emotions are throbbing waves of shock, pain, deep hurt, sobbing, anger, frustration, confusion and fear as you can read in the following pastoral statements. Along with enough hand-wringing, cloying, obsequious, grovelling apologies to be the envy of Uriah Heep.

Central Newfoundland’s  complete statement is here:

And Algoma’s complete statement is here:

Neither diocese has decided to proceed with same-sex marriage yet but, from these statements, it seem likely that they will. Among the many absurdities in the statements we find the inevitable “walking together”. Just as it is physically and spiritually impossible for two people of the same sex to marry, so it is physically impossible for two people to “walk together” when they are going in different directions.

Perhaps the bishops are relying on quantum entanglement to remain connected with each other as they drift further into the abyss.

The local chandelier option

From here:

A British woman says she has several love interests, but none of them can hold a candle to Lumiere — a 91-year-old chandelier she plans to marry, according to a report.

Normally this would not be of much interest on an Anglican blog but, since the passing of resolution A101 at General Synod, our bishops have made it reasonably clear that if the canons do not explicitly prohibit a particular form of marriage, then a diocesan bishop is at liberty to concoct “authorized liturgies for the solemnization of”  said marriage.

Emigrate to Canada Amanda Liberty, I’m sure you will be able to find a bishop to have you matrimonially swinging from your chandelier in no time.

Diocese of the Arctic declares itself “self-determining Anglican Church of Canada in the Arctic”

A point of clarification.

This just appeared on the diocesan Facebook page:

A point of clarity regarding our recent statement:

The Diocese of the Arctic remains a diocese within the Anglican church of Canada, but must distance itself from those who violate the Marriage Canon. The implication of this is a state of “impaired communion”. By using the phrase “self-determining,” we are reserving the right not to affirm or submit to decisions that violate the doctrine of the church on marriage.

Accordingly, I have change the headline to reflect this.

This is going to be interesting.

Diocese of Huron will ignore Marriage Canon vote

Since Bishop Linda Nicholls has made the career jump to Primate, she won’t be the Bishop of the Diocese of Huron for much longer. As a parting gift, she is authorising same sex marriages in the diocese. Or perhaps she is hammering the final nail in the diocesan coffin.

From here:

Given the strong support in Huron for this possibility, as of August 1, 2019, I am authorizing the availability of marriage to same-sex couples as a pastoral local option under the following guidelines:

1. Same-sex marriages will be permitted in parishes where the priest and the Parish Council have considered this matter and agreed that the parish will do so.
2. Any parish desiring to do so will write a letter to the Bishop requesting permission – signed by the priest (rector/incumbent) and the Wardens and including a description of the consideration taken by the Parish Council.
3. No parish is required to offer same-sex marriage in their location.
4. Clergy already have provision by canon to refuse to perform a marriage for reasons of conscience.
As this is a pastoral local option it is at the discretion of the diocesan bishop. It is an option that I believe is appropriate for the Diocese of Huron at this time and is supported by many, though not all, in the diocese. I am however aware that I will be the Bishop of Huron for only a short time longer. This may be a consideration in the discernment of the next Bishop of Huron. I pray that the diocese will recognize that the work of the bishop is much broader than this issue.

Diocese of Kootenay will ignore Marriage Canon vote

From here:

Rev. Dr. Lynne McNaughton, elected as Bishop to the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay, to which Cranbrook belongs, earlier this year, will also be issuing a joint statement with other bishops who have affirmed all of this. Additionally, she will be going ahead to authorize same-gender marriage within the Diocese of the Kootenay.

Updated list of dioceses that will marry same-sex couples:
Diocese of New Westminster
Diocese of Toronto
Diocese of Niagara
Diocese of Montreal
Diocese of Ottawa
Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Diocese of Rupert’s Land
Diocese of Kootenay
Diocese of Edmonton
Diocese of B.C.
Diocese of Huron

Diocese of New Westminster will ignore Marriage Canon vote

Bishop Melissa Skelton has announced that the diocese will proceed with same-sex marriages.

Up until now, the diocese did not permit the marriage of same sex-couples because it was waiting for the result of the 2019 Synod vote. Now the synod has voted “no” to same-sex marriage, the diocese is proceeding anyway. That is what passes for rational thinking in the Anglican Church of Canada.

As far as I know, these are the dioceses that will marry same-sex couples:

Diocese of New Westminster
Diocese of Toronto
Diocese of Niagara
Diocese of Montreal
Diocese of Ottawa
Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Diocese of Rupert’s Land
Diocese of Kootenay
Diocese of Edmonton
Diocese of B.C.
Diocese of Huron
Please let me know if I have missed one.

From here:

As of August 1, 2019 , I will authorize a liturgy for the marriage of same-sex couples within the Diocese of New Westminster under the following conditions:

  • that the priest wishing to officiate at the marriage make a request of me to use that liturgy and work in consultation with me in preparing to conduct that liturgy. I specify this in that I want us all to learn together as we gain experience in working with this new liturgy and in preparing same-sex couples for the sacrament of marriage.
  • that the Parish Council of any church hosting or wanting to host the marriage of same-sex couples concur with and embrace the decision for same-sex marriages to occur there, and
  • that any same-sex couple wishing to be married satisfy all the typical and important requirements for marriage (proper preparation for marriage, at least one of the couple having been baptized, that the marriage take place in a church or another public place).

I expect the first two conditions to be temporary until we as a community become familiar with this change.

Anglicans describing their own reality

Popular culture would have it that Truth is relative and subjective: you have your Truth, I have mine and we can all get along.

Now Reality itself has suffered the same fate in the Anglican Church of Canada. According to Bishop Susan Bell, there is no objective Reality. Each diocese “describes its own reality”.

From here:

The bishop of Diocese of Niagara says she isn’t surprised the Anglican Church of Canada voted against recognizing same-sex marriage.

[….]

“I really lament the pain for our LGBTQ2S+ community,” says Bell,  “and for everybody who desired this change.”

But she says that, “We went into the vote with something in our back pockets.”

She’s talking about a document that was drafted before the vote, that allows each diocese to decide individually if it wants to recognize same-sex marriage.

The Niagara diocese already recognized same-sex marriage, before the vote, but Bell says she understands that there are some dioceses and bishops that have not gone ahead with that.

She says the document allows each diocese to describe their own reality.

Statement from the ANiC House of Bishops

Below is a statement from the ANiC House of Bishops regarding the 2019 General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.

July 17, 2019

Our dear friends,

For the last while many of us have been much in prayer, knowing that the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) would be convening July 10-16, 2019 in Vancouver for some very significant decisions.

Among them was the second vote potentially to confirm the decision of the 2016 General Synod to change the Marriage Canon.

Friday evening, July 12, 2019, the historic vote happened and though the overall vote was overwhelmingly for the change, because it was to be a Canonical change it required a 2/3 majority in all three houses: Laity, Clergy and Bishops.

The outcome was the motion was defeated by the narrowest of margins because, although the laity and clergy houses both had votes far exceeding the 66.6 % vote required, the House of Bishops only had just over 62% which meant the motion was defeated.

In reflecting on this outcome, while knowing that many Dioceses have already gone ahead for years and have no intention, it would seem, of changing, the ANiC House of Bishops would humbly like to share the following thoughts:

  • We Commend the courage of the 59 who voted “no”—all of whom (but especially in the House of Bishops) stood for scriptural integrity in spite of intense pressure from within and the culture from without. They have resisted the temptation to confirm the motion and through their faithfulness have managed to avert, even temporarily, the tragic path their church seemed to be taking.
  • We are relieved that General Synod has paused somewhat in its departure from the clear teachings of Scripture, and from the Global Anglican majority. This trajectory of departure has not just been evident in questions of sexuality, but also sanctity of life, and key areas of belief in the person and work of Christ.
  • It appears to us that with such narrow margins no one has won and the Body of Christ is fractured even further.
  • The vote seems to confirm that two incompatible gospels are being promoted within the Anglican Church of Canada, tearing the fabric of the Communion at its deepest level.
  • We pray that even now a transformation can take place in the church that so many of us loved and served for so many years, and for that we will continue to pray.
  • We call on The Anglican Church of Canada to return to the common Christian witness that Christ is Lord of all, that he lays claim to every human heart, and that he summons the world to holiness and truth.
  • We express solidarity with many within present Anglican Church of Canada structures who tirelessly upheld and advanced these beliefs over so many years of endless controversy and decline.
  • We rejoice that a realignment is underway in Anglicanism around the globe through the Global Anglican (GAFCON) Movement. We seek ecumenical unity with partners in other Christian traditions upholding strong biblical beliefs. We rejoice that in just 10 years The Anglican Church in North America has launched over 1200 churches throughout the continent who share in these aims.
  • We believe that the Lord wants a great and eternal future for every follower, and for every Church that honours His sovereignty.

Whatever the ultimate outcome, we are very thankful for those who have stood so faithfully in these days and assure them of our prayer for them and for us all in the days ahead, and desire to stand with them in any way that they might find helpful.

We believe our faithful friends have indeed contended “for the faith once for all delivered to the saints”(Jude 1:3) and with them we rejoice in the Lord:

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

Jude 1:24-25

The House of Bishops of the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)