Toronto diocese gives go-ahead for blessings of same-sex couples

Sunday, 8th February 2009
By George Conger

The Anglican Diocese of Toronto has agreed to allow pastoral services of prayer and blessing for same-sex couples, but will not authorize sacramental rites for the blessing of same-sex unions or gay marriages.

At a Jan 29 diocesan council meeting, Bishop Colin Johnson (pictured) announced that a year-long consultation process conformed to the Canadian House of Bishops’ 2007 statement committing the church to “develop the most generous pastoral response possible within the current teaching of the church.” The policy stops short, however of authorizing formal rites for the blessing of same-sex unions. the rest