NB Anglicans participate in
General Synod debates on sexuality
by Ana Watts
Several New Brunswick Anglicans participated in the debate of General Synod motions involving sexuality. A motion to accept a ruling from the Primate’s Theological Commission that same-sex unions is a matter of doctrine in the Anglican Church of Canada but is not a core doctrine in the sense of being creedal, was passed. A resolution that would have allowed dioceses to decide for themselves whether or not to bless same-sex unions was narrowly defeated.
Lay canon Ron Stevenson, a retired Queen’s Court justice, former chancellor of this diocese and present chancellor of General Synod said he was glad to have lived long enough to see repressive and punitive laws against homosexual acts repealed and the majority of Canadians accept homosexuality as a matter of humanity and God’s creation. An on-line video features some of his remarks. Canon Stevenson was the only New Brunswick Anglican to speak in support of the sexuality motions.
Bishop Claude Miller told General Synod that he would vote against the motion to allow dioceses to determine whether or not to permit same-sex blessings, but he also asked the church to pray for all diocesan bishops. He said no matter what the result of the vote, bishops would have to deal with hurt people in their dioceses.
Dean Keith Joyce said he was conservative on ‘the issue’ and would have to vote against the blessing of same-gender unions, but was saddened that his stand on the issue hurt some people for whom he cared.
Shara Golden said “We do have same-sex marriage today (in civil society), but (in the church) we need more time to talk.”
Jean Hamilton and the Rev. Canon Bill MacMullin both told General Synod that the motions asked them to support activities that are clearly sinful and they could not and would not do that.
During the recent Diocese of Fredericton Synod (June 7-9), Bishop Miller said New Brunswick Anglicans were evenly split on the same-sex blessings issue. He made the comment following a narrow defeat of a motion to support the ministry of the Fredericton branch of Integrity, an organization that reaches out to the lesbigay communities in Christian love and service.
He was proved right at General Synod. The motion dealing with doctrine was handily won in the lay and clergy houses –– 152 for and 97 against; but won by the narrowest possible margin –– 21 for and 19 against in the house of bishops.
The motion dealing with blessings was equally narrowly defeated in the house of bishops ––19 for and 21 against. Clergy voted in favour of the motion 63 to 53, and the laity voted in favour 78 to 59. However, the motion required approval by each of the three orders to pass so was defeated even with the majority of the ‘popular’ vote.
In addition to Bishop Miller and Canon Stevenson, four clergy, four lay and one youth delegate represented the diocese at General Synod. They were elected at our diocesan synod in 2005.
The clergy delegates were Dean Joyce, Canon MacMullin, Archdeacon Vicars Hodge and the Rev. David Edwards. They are all members or former members of Essentials Canada, a group that offers support to Canadian Anglicans who wish to remain true to biblically faithful, historically authentic Anglicanism and who are concerned about the direction taken by their current church leadership.
Ms. Golden, Peter Irish, Robert Marsh and Cecil VanBuskirk were elected to attend as lay delegates, but Mr. Irish and Mr. VanBuskirk were unable to attend. Alternate delegates Ms. Hamilton and Heather Carr attended instead.
Ms. Caryn Crowe (now Gunter) was elected youth delegate to General Synod but she too was unable to attend, so alternate Falen McNulty went in her stead.
Bishop Miller and Robert Marsh were elected to serve on Council of General Synod (CoGS), which meets between General Synods to conduct the business of the national church. Ms. McNulty was elected to serve on the Financial Management and Development Committee of CoGS.
Quotes from debate were gleaned from some monitoring of streaming audio presentations, Journal Daily stories and Anglican Church of Canada releases. Other synod delegates may have participated as well, but the author missed their contributions.
