By Kelli Corscadden
Gay members of the Ottawa Anglican diocese are accusing the church of moving too slowly on the decision of blessing same-sex unions.
The national church has asked Canadian parishes to put off taking a stance on same-sex marriage until after the general synod in the summer of 2004. It is possible that if they can’t reach a decision, they’ll have to wait until the next meeting in 2007, says Rev. Bill Prentice, director of programming at Ottawa’s Anglican diocese.
“We need to take time to make a reasoned response,” says Ron Chaplin, who is one of two gay members on a task group studying the issue for the Ottawa churches. “But as a proponent of the blessing of same-sex unions, I find it rather frustrating that this process seems to move so slowly.”
The Task Group on the Implications of Blessing Same-Sex Unions, created a year ago, tabled a preliminary report at the diocese’s annual synod meeting recently. It only recommended parishes be sensitive of the issue and provide members with information on all its aspects, says Prentice.
“A decision is necessary but it must be carefully reviewed. Nobody wants to force a decision on an issue of this nature,” says Shane Parker, Dean of the Ottawa diocese.
Chaplin says the group is now working on creating a list of reading resources for a church leaders’ workshop on Nov. 29.
“We are hoping to engage a dialogue process to train group facilitators to lead people in an educated discussion.”
Chaplin says he wants church members to discuss the issue to prepare for the general synod, where it will probably top the agenda.
“It doesn’t mean every parish has to do what they say,” says Parker. “The Anglican church has a tradition that authority comes when we meet together and listen to Scripture and look at reason.”
Though Prentice says he’s “behaving as if it is a national church decision,” if the general synod recommends the Anglican church bless same-sex marriages, the bishop of each diocese will have the ultimate say.
Rev. David Crawley of St. Georges Anglican Church on Metcalfe Street, who is known for his hard stance against same-sex marriage, says the bishop may have to make modifications to the decision for individual churches.
“The bishop may offer various options for a parish so that it will remain in the diocese,” says Crawley.
Chaplin says his group is unlikely to come up with solid recommendations for the diocese, but rather outline the implications of any decision.
“My experience has been, when you give people a chance to look at the situation and reason for a while, their position will soften,” says Chaplin. “I’m quite confident that some of the hardliners will soften when they get their heads around the issue.”