News

VANCOUVER, November 29, 2002 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Clergy from eight Anglican parishes that wish to remain faithful to Christianity have succeeded in forcing Bishop Michael Ingham to suspend enforcement of church homosexual marriages in his 80-parish diocese, pending further discussion. Previously, Ingham vowed to defy the Canadian House of Bishops, who in October deferred a decision on homosexual blessings until the 2004 national General Synod.  The eight parishes described by the media as “dissident” and “hard-line,” have withheld $30,000 a month in dues, provoking a 20 percent cut to Ingham’s budget and effectively forcing his hand. In a typical move to shift blame on to the eight parishes, Ingham told reporters he now “can’t afford to fill a chaplain’s position at Vancouver General Hospital.” Several priests have resigned over his heavy-handed tactics.  Ingham cited the January 18 special diocesan synod as a possible deadline for what he calls “reconciliation within the Christian community.” But it is unclear how he intends to dissuade the eight parishes from their wish to be served by a “flying bishop,” such as the orthodox Anglican Bishop of the Yukon, Terry Buckle, who could serve loyal Anglicans across diocesan boundaries.  For coverage from the Vancouver Anglican newspaper see:  https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/default.asp?Menu=1&SubMenu=0&Item=0&Content=NEWS&Mode=NEW&Article=374   For previous LifeSite coverage of the crisis see:  ANGLICAN BISHOPS IN CANADA TO HOLD OFF ON HOMOSEXUAL BLESSINGS https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/nov/02110104.html   RESIGNATIONS CONTINUE OVER ANGLICAN BLESSING OF HOMOSEXUAL UNIONS https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/nov/02111906.html