“It is what it is”.

The depth of its iniquity lays not only in its inane tautology, but in the diversionary tactic that normally accompanies its use. You can see a prime specimen here, perpetrated by Primate Fred Hiltz. In this case, the church is obviously breaking the moratorium on same-sex blessings because they are actually occurring. But since the House of Bishops has not officially sanctioned them (nor has it censured those who conduct them), the blatant contradiction between claiming the moratorium is not broken – while brazenly breaking it – becomes an “it is what it is” phenomenon, designed to divert attention from the crass lie.

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, noted that in Canada, several dioceses either allow same-sex blessing rites or are considering it, subject to a decision arising from this General Synod. Despite these developments, he said, the Canadian House of Bishops’ October 2008 statement still stands. It affirms a continued moratorium on same-sex blessings while recognizing that it would be difficult for some dioceses to implement it.

“We’ve not revisited or altered that statement as a House,” noted Archbishop Hiltz. “It is what it is.” And while the landscape has changed, he said, “what we’re keeping is a plan for us to continue to walk together and pray together.”