Anglican diocese gives its blessing to same-sex marriages
CanWest News Service
Sunday, October 14, 2007

CORNWALL, Ont. -- The Anglican diocese of Ottawa has approved blessings of same-sex marriages by a vote of 177 to 97, making it the first in Canada to support some sort of church recognition of gay marriage.

Bishop John Chapman said in a news conference yesterday after the vote that the final decision on whether to bless the marriages still rests with him, and he expects to take his time making that decision. He wants to talk to other bishops, both nationally and internationally, before going ahead with a policy.

The motion did not call for the marriage of gay couples in Anglican churches, or even the right to have civil ceremonies blessed later in church. It just means that the diocese has indicated that it would like priests to be able to ask the bishop to bless such a marriage, should their parish approve. the rest

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