When it appeared that the vote to change the marriage canon did not pass, various liberal bishops defiantly announced that they would perform them, nonetheless. Now it is clear the vote did pass, the canon still cannot change until 2019. Liberal bishops are restating their intention to proceed immediately, making it blindingly obvious that the vote was irrelevant. Not only that, since synod votes are irrelevant, the synod itself is irrelevant. So are the canons. Since its synods and canons are irrelevant, I suspect the whole Anglican Church of Canada is irrelevant.
Here is Johnson’s revised statement:
Last night, I issued a statement based on the understanding that General Synod had narrowly defeated – by one vote in the order of clergy – changes to the marriage canon to include same-sex marriage in Anglican churches across Canada.
Today, after an audit of the recorded vote, it was determined that, in fact, the required 2/3 majority had been met in all three orders – laity, clergy and bishops.
Today’s vote will require confirmation by General Synod in 2019, but we can now begin to discuss how this will be implemented in the Diocese of Toronto in a similar way to what I spoke about in my earlier statement.
I reiterate that even if we do not agree on today’s outcome, we continue to be united in the most central aspects of our faith – our baptism in Jesus Christ and our commitment to serve His people. Because we are united at this level, we can continue to work through these important issues together – a challenge I embrace and look forward to.
Thank you.
The Most Rev’d Colin R. Johnson
Archbishop of Toronto
Because it’s 2016 !!
“How this will be implemented”: quite outside the ecclesiastical authority of the Synod, as was evident in these anti-Biblical, neo-Babylonian Bishops repairing to the uber-sympathetic Mama Media; after all, their mutual blessings continue to flow, but cursed by both be any who oppose them (v. infra re. The Reverend F. Khandani ).
+ Collin cannot wait because in his heart he knows the vote was rigged.
Even a cooked chicken can see that. He knows the revisionist bishops will push it t through again in 2019. So why wait?
I have noted the reference to liberal and conservative but the fact is we are dealing with apostasy and orthodoxy and there is no way these two camps can remain united. This vote should not even be considered as God’s word is NOT subject to the approval of so-called bishops or anyone else. The ACoC is now a church of political expediency and NOT a Church of Our Lord. They might as well throw out their Bibles as these are proving to be nothing less than a decoration and in the case of apostate bishops and clergy an annoyance for them.
Orthodox Christians should resign from the ACoC and look for orthodox churches such as those within the ANIC. In addition NO contributions should be made to the apostates for any purpose as they will evict you and legally steal property.
Frank, I agree with you. I can only imagine the hurt and frustration of those who went through having their buildings seized and their reputations maligned by those bishops who had vowed to behave like shepherds and not wolves. We’ve been hearing a lot about “discernment” lately, but I do believe that many of those who remained thinking that the ship might yet turn around are beginning to discern that this is now the path they need to pursue. It will be a painful uprooting of involvements, financial and in other ways. It may mean a time of wandering and spiritual homelessness, but the Lord didn’t promise that it would be easy to follow.
“I suspect the whole Anglican Church of Canada is irrelevant.”
Two words: Anglican Ordinariate
ordinariate.net