Anglicans face same sex debate
Richard Foot, CanWest News Service
Saturday, June 23, 2007

WINNIPEG — An emotional debate opened here Saturday as delegates to the Anglican Church of Canada’s national meeting try to decide whether to approve the blessing of same sex partnerships.

About 300 Anglican bishops, priests and laity will vote this weekend on a matter that has deeply divided the church at home and also in the global Anglican Communion.

Feelings are raw on both sides of the issue, which may be decided either Saturday night or on Sunday.

“We see our church as being so open, so welcoming,” said one priest from Quebec, speaking to fellow delegates inside a Winnipeg conference hall. “We must open the door and we must allow our brothers and sisters who are gay and lesbian to be with us and share with us in this church.”

A delegate from the Anglican Diocese of the Arctic, who is opposed to the blessing of same-sex unions, said: “I am one of the biggest sinners I know. (But) to bless sin would be a disaster to our church.” the rest