Resolution C003 proposes to introduce a resolution in 2016 to the Synod/Joint Assembly – or whatever it is called by 2016 – to change “Canon XXI on Marriage to allow the marriage of same sex couples in the same way as opposite sex couples”.
The 2013 resolution passed by a substantial majority. Is there any doubt that the resolution to change the canon will pass in 2016?
From here:
General Synod on July 6 approved a resolution that will bring the issue of same-sex marriage to a vote at the meeting of the Anglican Church of Canada’s governing body in 2016.
At its triennial meeting here, General Synod passed Resolution C003, asking the Council of General Synod to prepare and present a motion to change the church’s Canon 21 on marriage “to allow the marriage of same-sex couples in the same way as opposite sex couples.”
Moved by the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island members Michelle Bull and Jennifer Warren, the motion was approved by a two-thirds majority of the orders of bishop, clergy and laity. Using clickers—a handheld electronic device—25 bishops, 72 clergy and 101 laity voted in favour of the resolution; 11 bishops, 30 clergy and 27 laity were opposed.
…and so where in the motion, or in the arguments supporting the motion, was the clear, unequivocal evidence that God supports such a resolution (Acts 15:28)or has his take on this become unimportant? Has the A of C now become a Church that believes that the unsanctified conscience of a dysfunctional culture echoes God’s voice? Put another way, I wonder if it is now official. Has the A of C replaced what it has called “God’s Word,” with a new voice of authority?
The reality is this. Assuming the resolution passes in 2016, the A of C will lose members, lose clergy, lose bishops and lose what little shred of support it still had from the churches of the global south. Many around the world will then sadly raise their glasses to the A of C and say, “Well done, good unfaithful servant… you have just committed institutional suicide,” leave the room and close the door.
Amen to that!
You hit the nail on the head!
“Why are you still there?” you ask.
There are two reasons. The first is founded on hope, and is founded on the reality that the battlefields of Anglican history have frequently witnessed contests over matters of biblical authority. And the bloodied conservatives have frequently won the day. So my hope…perhaps overly optimistic… is that the wagon will be stopped at the 11th hour before it careens over the cliff of self-annihilation. The second reason is more pastoral… as a priest I want to be there for those weary conservative Anglicans who really don’t have much option but to tough it out. They don’t have the option of driving to a local ANiC church. They want conservative teaching and pastoral oversight. Put more bluntly, I am still here because this is where God has called me to be for this dismal time in our history. It would be cowardice and unfaithfulness for those like me to leave at this point. That being said, we p[ray for our ANiC brothers and sisters every Sunday…and trust many pray for us.
Your parish could become a local ANiC church. Mine did.
Quite commendable Richard and grounded in common sense.
I would however observe that many Anglican priests seem focused only upon the ‘fee-paying’ membership, which is not what Jesus preached or practiced.
Our Church has some 60 ministries across the country staffed by volunteer [unpaid] priests who reach out to everyone. We have an ongoing problem with Anglican priests who scream proselytism if they so much as speak to an ‘Anglican’ Alzheimer patient in palliative care…
You will be in our prayers…
Any law made by humans or governments can be repealed at a later date. Same-sex marriage is legal in Canada today, but it can be changed in the future by a more Conservative government. If Canon XXI on Marriage includes same-sex couples in 2019, a future General Synod can repeal it later. Our God is greater than the current General Synod. We need God’s approval, not human’s.
I don’t see how that would work. Who’d be willing to look legally married people in the eye and tell them “You’re not married anymore”?
That’s a little low, surely?
No … looking them square in the eye … the correct phrase would be, “You were never married.”
If Jesus really feels that strongly about it, I’ll let him come down from heaven and say that himself. Not convinced he has time to waste on this, but there you go. In the meantime I’ll work on my own soul.
Hi Vincent. Normally I think of you as one of the more reasoned and civil posters, even though I don’t agree with you on many issues. However I think you are so off base here I must say something.
First of all, Jesus doesn’t need to come down and say it himself – he has alreaady said so when he was here the first time. He gave no room for marriage being anything other than between a man and a woman, and he upheld the Levitical laws on sexuality that prohibited, among other things, same sex sexual activity.
And regarding working on your own soul, if you have trusted God for your eternal destiny through Jesus Christ, your own soul’s future is secure. But as Christians we are called to worry about other’s souls as well. If we see a brother (or sister) sinning we are called to warn them and bring them to repentance. If we don’t at least try to do so we are being hypocritical about our faith.
And by the way, don’t be in such a hurry for Jesus to come down. I’m sure you were being tongue-in-cheek, but when he DOES come down again, that’s it! As either Lewis or Chesterton has said, “When the author walks onto the stage, the play is over.”
Jesus is coming again soon. The first coming is like D-Day and the second coming is like V-Day. We are somewhere near Berlin. There will be a new heaven and a new earth.
Thanks for this. I understand your arguments. We’ll have to agree to disagree. There are too many things about the OT that Christ contradicted, didn’t mention, or was too subtle for me to quite get.
When I talk about my soul, I’m talking about now. I want to live as a Christian now, not spend my life preparing myself to die as one. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. 🙂
The bit about Jesus coming down and “that’s it” is very perceptiive, though. It’s one of the paradoxes of Christianity that the return of Christ would end the religion as it exists now, leaving _everyone_ a bit bewildered.
“All we have is hope!”
Rest assured my brother in Christ, that we do pray for you, for your bishops, clergy, and laity, especially for Christ’s sheep in the pews, who follow their shepherds in faith and obedience, to where they have come to, and where they are going.
May God keep and protect you all from the works of the world, and the attacks of satan.
Amen
In the discernment process leading up to the decision on the part of some of the members of our ACoC congregation to form an ANiC church, one member shared a vision of the pastor carrying a banner, leading a great crowd of followers. That person, I believe, saw this vision as the congregation needing to follow whatever decision the pastor made. Unfortunately (in my opinion), the pastor decided to stay, so many stayed because of that decision. In my opinion, however, the only way that vision made sense is if the pastor was leading us OUT of the ACoC, as Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt or Ezra led them out of Babylon into Jerusalem.
If ever the ACoC returns to a position of faithfulness, it may be a time for reconciliation, but for now I believe it is a time to walk apart.
A particular group of Christians may perish, but the true church of Jesus Christ will never die as long as the true Gospel is being preached and practised.
The “Income Tax”, was introduced to fund efforts in the First World War. It was enacted as a “temporary” measure.
The flood gates have been opened, there will be no return of our nation’s laws being based on God’s laws.
His plan is in place and we are seeing the signs.
We must be steadfast and endure, for:
“…he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matt. 24:13
Thank You Jesus.
Hello John,
Perhaps there are people like me. I experience my closest Communion with God by participating in legitimate Anglican Liturgy. I have tried the Alliance Church, but it just wasn’t what I needed. I have been in contact with that ANiC, the REC (both members of the ACiNA), and also the ACCoC (which is now part of a RC Ordinairiate). Sadly none of these Churches have Parishes or Missions in my area.
Until such time as there is a legitimately Anglican alternative to the ACoC in my area I suppose that I will either have to continue to attend my local ACoC Parish, or cross the Tiber.
If this resolution passes in 2016 I will be forced to make a decision. Hopefully by that time the ACiNA will have a Mission in my area.
If you are in the golden horseshoe or Niagara area, check out the Independent Anglican Church, Canada Synod 1934. See their website.
Where are you?