The following is a sermon by George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, delivered July 3 to the Conference on The Future of Anglicanism, held June 30 – July 5, 2002 at Oxford, England. Lambeth Palace forwarded the transcript to the Anglican Church of Canada.
The following is a letter from the Faith and Order Group of the consultation on the Future of Anglicanism, held at Oxford, June 29 – July 5, 2002. It was forwarded by Edith M. Humphrey, a Canadian theologian and one of the signatories of the letter.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, has called for restraint and a period of reflection from Anglicans following the decision of the Canadian diocese of New Westminster to approve a rite for the blessing of same-sex unions.
The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, July 4 at St. Luke’s church, Cedar Hill, Victoria at 2 p.m., Pacific time. A memorial service will be held the same day at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, Ont., with Bishop Bruce Howe presiding.
Since the beginning of recorded time, humankind has embarked on great pilgrimages — compelling journeys in search of spiritual renewal, sacred places, peace, healing and deeper meaning. Inspirational pilgrimages have taken place throughout the world and have led people to healing waters, remote islands, holy sites, and places of war and suffering, yet great love.
A provincial archives organization has recognized the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada for its support of the church’s archives.
Thank you for your open letter of response to the situation in the diocese of New Westminster. We find much in what you have said to encourage us. We are grateful that you have once again affirmed your support for the Lambeth resolution on human sexuality and that you do not accept that “homosexual relationships can be treated as being on a par with the man-woman ideal portrayed in Holy Scripture.”
Thank you for your letter, sent to me ahead of the Synod meeting at the weekend. I did not judge it right that I should comment on it prior to the debate.
We regret the decision of the diocese of New Westminster to move independently toward the blessing of same-sex unions.
Steve Schuh St. John’s, Shaughnessy President, Integrity Vancouver It saddens me to see all my clergy walk out. It says to me they have a great deal of contempt for gay and lesbian people. It says they can’t be in a church which accepts me. At the same time, I am joyful that the church … Continued
The Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster has now made a clear decision about the pastoral care of Anglicans in this part of Canada.
Same-sex blessings could be a reality in the diocese of New Westminster after synod voted on the issue late today. Results will be announced mid-day, June 15.
You will have received by now from the Resolutions Committee notices of motion which will be before us next week at Synod. You may also have received written material, unofficially circulated, in support of motions that effectively call for the partition of the diocese along theological lines.
We, as clergy of the diocese of New Westminster in the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia (part of the Anglican Church of Canada), are appealing to you for the provision of alternative episcopal oversight as per the provisions of Lambeth (1998) for intervention in cases of pastoral emergency which cannot be addressed within a province.
Motion # 4 (withdrawn in favour of motion 7) Moved The Reverend Robert Korth Seconded Ms. Maureen Ashfield Be it resolved that this synod, in light of the two majority votes of support for the blessing of committed same-sex unions, encourages the Bishop to: prepare a rite for the blessing of committed same-sex unions in … Continued