The mover and seconder of the motion to defer, Rev. Andy Leroux and Mary Walsh, noted that General Synod, meeting last June, voted to refer the question to the Primate's Theological Commission, whose members are appointed by the primate and consider questions relevant to Anglican theology and authority. If the commission decides that offering blessing ceremonies to gay couples is a matter of doctrine, then General Synod (the national governing body) must decide the question, not individual dioceses, Mr. Leroux and Ms. Walsh said.

The Vancouver-based diocese of New Westminster has offered such blessing ceremonies in a few churches since 2002 and two weeks ago, the diocese of Niagara also voted to allow blessings, but its bishop, Ralph Spence, declined to give his consent, saying the diocese needed more time for discussion.

Supporters of the deferral at the Toronto synod also argued that more discussion was needed and that the diocese should not pre-empt the work of the theological commission nor ignore the recently-released Windsor Report, a report of an Anglican Communion-wide commission which called for a moratorium on public same-sex blessings. They also said that if the diocese moved to offer the blessings, it would be out of step with churches in Africa, Asia and South America, which are more conservative concerning homosexuality.

During the debate, synod delegate David Colpitts, saying that as a gay man he can "live, love, get married, have children," also said that he doesn't see the issue as a question of human rights or of justice and "we have to wait for the Primate's Theological Commission."

Opponents argued that the diocese - and the wider church - has been discussing the question of human sexuality and the Bible for many years and that now is the time to act. "(Deciding) in no way violates the process. It is an opinion to be given to the bishop. It is giving the bishop a very clear understanding of where this diocese stands," said Douglas Stoute, dean of St. James Cathedral.

After the vote, Chris Ambidge, Toronto leader of Integrity, an association of gay and lesbian Anglicans, said he was extremely disappointed. "It feels like justice delayed is justice denied," he commented in an interview.

After the vote to defer, synod approved overwhelmingly a motion affirming the "integrity and sanctity" of same-sex unions, with a motion to remove the word "sanctity" defeated by a vote of 280 to 241, with six abstentions. The motion to "affirm" mirrored one passed by General Synod after it voted last June to defer to the theological commission.

The first orders of business at the special synod were a motion to "uphold faithfulness in marriage between a man and woman" and state that abstinence is right for those "not called to marriage," but synod decided, by a vote of 338 to 301 not to put the motion on the agenda. A motion "rejecting homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture" also was not put on the agenda, by an overwhelming vote.

The Primate's Theological Commission will produce its report by spring 2006 and the matter is scheduled to come before the next meeting of General Synod in 2007.

Colin Johnson, diocesan bishop of Toronto, who chaired the synod, said he has established a committee for pastoral care of gays and lesbians and those disappointed by the vote. The committee will also consider the diocese's next steps and a process for discussion of the Windsor Report.

END