The Anglican Church should follow Jesus’ teachings and welcome equal marriage

Michael Coren is the author of The Future of Catholicism, and Epiphany: A Christian’s Change of Heart and Mind Over Same-Sex Marriage.

Three years ago I wrote with joy and pride that the Anglican Church of Canada had voted at its Synod (the church’s governing body) to approve equal marriage, to give formal and sacramental acknowledgment of the church to LGBTQ people who wanted to embrace holy and lifelong commitments. In other words, gay men and women could be married in Anglican churches.

The vote was extremely close, and a two-thirds majority is required in the three orders of laity, clergy and bishops. Still, it succeeded. A second approval was required, however, and in Vancouver on Friday that didn’t happen. While the clergy and laity overwhelmingly approved, the order of bishops gave only 62.2 per cent support, just one or two votes shy of what was required.

People reacted with shock, because even though the church did pronounce that each diocese could move ahead as it sees fit – several have already married same-sex couples and will continue to do so – this was a body blow, especially to those gay Christians who have remained faithful worshippers in spite of rejection.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-anglican-church-should-follow-jesus-teachings-and-welcome-equal/?fbclid=IwAR0804XhG3OR0oR5tR3W3OMGEOxCgXos6dWiJQlIuVWNUsv7okak3AdSyoo