Anglican Split Over Gays Reaches Into Canada

I've read a lot about the split of the Episcopal (Anglican) church in the United States over the ordination of gay bishops, but I didn't realize until I read this article (thanks to PageOneQ) that the same situation existed in Canada. The article talks about one church that is stepping out in faith to support equality.

An Anglican church has voted to begin offering same-sex blessings of gay marriages as soon as it's given permission to do so by its diocese.

Same-sex blessings have created a major schism within the Anglican Church, with at least 15 churches voting to separate from the Anglican Church of Canada over the issue.

Meanwhile, there's a moratorium on any new churches getting permission to perform same-sex blessings within the Diocese of New Westminster, which includes Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

The Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit in Whonnock voted on same-sex blessings on Sunday and only one member voted against the idea.

"We're very inclusive. We're a progressive [church] here in the valley, which tends to be more conservative, and so it's important that we stand up for our liberal voice," said Rev. David Findley-Price.

"People say [homosexuality] is a choice. Well, it's not a choice. It's just part of the natural order of creation. All we're saying is let's bless people who have come to love each other as part of the natural order of how the universe is created. We have to move away from flat Earth theology and become more enlightened."

Church members also passed a unanimous motion affirming support of Bishop Michael Ingham, who is considered a global leader in the campaign to give homosexuals full rights within the Anglican church.

"I think it's an important thing. Lots of press is being given to others about how they're breaking away. There are a number of Anglican parishes that are not wanting to break away. . . . We're moving forward with the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Spirit. We believe God speaks to us and is saying move forward, move on, here's the evidence and the truth," said Findley-Price.

"People who are homosexual and lesbian have gone through a tremendous amount of pain over the years because they've been very marginalized in our society," he said, adding teens he worked with often felt self-hatred and were suicidal due to societal attitudes about being gay.

"It was very, very painful. There was also rejection of their friends and family; they were very lonely and isolated," he said.

Findley-Price pointed out that only 15 of more than 2,000 Anglican churches in Canada have decided to separate over same-sex blessings.