Motion passes amongst the lay and episcopal delegates, but is defeated by the clergy meeting on 11 July 2016 in Toronto.

The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada has rejected an amendment to the church’s marriage canons that would have permitted same-sex marriage.  After several hours of debate, a vote by orders was taken shortly after 9:00  pm on 11 July 2016 on Resolution A051-R2, Amendment to Canon XXI. While the resolution received the necessary two-thirds majorities amongst the bishops and lay delegates, it fell short among the clergy and was defeated. The vote tally as reported by the General Synod twitter feed was Lay 78 yes 30 no; Clergy 51 yes, 26 no; Bishops 68.42% yes, 31.58% no. Following the vote, the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Fred Hiltz (pictured) addressed the synod. Visibly shaken, Archbishop Hiltz said: “I think we ought to have some time in table groups” to discuss the outcome. “So what do we do now? How do we move forward? Who do we have to be particularly attentive to? How are we going to pastorally care for people, particularly those most affected by this vote?” Synod then recessed for evening prayers. The 41st General Synod is meeting at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Toronto and concludes its business on 12 July 2016.

A051-R2 GS 2016 by George Conger on Scribd

Note: The figures reported for the bishops’ vote have been corrected.