As the Canadian Anglicans are standing at a crossroad, emotions are running high on both side of the debate to decide whether to allow its priests to bless same-sex union, which is allowed in Canada.
The 300-delegates will gather at the General Synod over this weekend to cast the historic vote. Opponents of the same-sex union proposal are already charging that homosexuality is a sin and to bless it will bring disaster upon the Church, despite the proposal receiving support from the House of Bishop.
Reverend David Parsons, a minister for 28 years, who opposed the proposal told the Canadian Press: "Sin is still sin, and to bless sin would be a disaster to our church. Jesus Christ is my One and only Saviour, this Bible is trustworthy, and I urge you brothers and sisters to listen to it."
Resistance to the proposal has also been met with support of it, with proponents telling AP that since society has accepted it, the Church should do so in order to progress and to be seen as relevant in the community.
Chris Ambidge, who leads the Toronto chapter of Integrity Canada, an Anglican gay advocacy group, a proponent of the proposal told AP: "Gays have been allowed to marry in Canada for four years and…Canadians as a whole are prepared to live with it. Why can't the Anglican church? We need to progress if we're going to remain relevant."
Reverend Ian Ritchie, a priest from Ontario who belongs to the conservative wing of the Church warns there will be a 'disaster' to the global Anglican Communion if the General Synod approves it, reported Global National.
If the General Synod voted for the proposal, it will be the second country after the U.S. to allow its priest to bless same-sex couples. However the Episcopal Church, the Anglican body in the U.S., is facing calls from worldwide Anglicans to reverse its decision to allow the blessing of same-sex couples and the consecration of gay bishops.