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