REGINA, November 1, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A group of Canadian Anglicans has broken away from the Anglican Church of Canada in defiance of its pro-homosexual position.
The group, calling itself the Anglican Communion in Canada, says homosexual unions are not supported by scripture. Three Saskatchewan congregations have joined the new group, along with their pastor. Reverend Tom Needham of Regina resigned from his position as an Anglican pastor to become pastor for break-away groups in Regina, Qu’Appelle and Indian Head. “What happens to the church if the morals and the ethics of Christians are decided by a body of men?” he said, as reported by the CBC. The Archbishop of Canterbury issued a request last week, that the Anglican Church of Canada stop blessing same-sex unions.
Primate-elect of Canada, Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, speaking at the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod held in June, said that, although the decision to officially endorse same-sex union blessings was deferred until 2007, no ban was issued that would prevent bishops from unilaterally conferring blessings on same-sex unions for their own diocese’. “Constitutionally, because there is no inhibiting legislation at the level of general synod, it does leave dioceses at liberty to make their own decisions,” Hutchison said.
Read the related LifeSiteNews.com report: Anglican Church of Canada “Affirms the Integrity and Sanctity of Committed Adult Same-Sex Relationships” http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/jun/04060306.html tv