At the end of General Synod in the summer, I spoke to you about some of the important decisions made there, and in particular how the motion to change the marriage canon to include same-sex marriage did not pass. It was an emotional time, and the bruises are still tender even now. In July, I promised to say more in the fall, and I’d like to give you a brief update now on where we are and where I believe we are going in the future.
We are working toward the day when all may be welcomed to be married in the Church. Every couple who desires Christian marriage in the Diocese of Toronto will have that opportunity. And every priest who wants to officiate at same-sex weddings will receive permission. It’s my hope to have new procedures in place by Pentecost 2020.
In the meantime, the College of Bishops, as a first step, is actively working on revising our Diocese’s guidelines on same-sex marriage to reflect where we are now as a Church. The guidelines are a placeholder while I continue to consult with the Primate, the House of Bishops, the College of Bishops, clergy and lay leaders to more clearly understand what we mean by “local option.”
We need to make sure this Diocese is a safe place for clergy who teach and uphold the traditional view of marriage, as well as for clergy who teach and uphold a view that includes same-sex marriage, so that all may thrive side by side. We want to move carefully and get this right.
I hope that we can address this matter together in a pastoral way. We’ve seen from the past two General Synods how painful it can be when we try to enact this change through motions and debate. It’s my deepest hope that we do not take a legislative approach at Synod or our pre-Synod meetings, but instead allow this process to unfold with trust, patience and love. I am committed to this way.
We’ve been walking with this matter for a long time, and it has not always been easy. Since becoming Bishop of Toronto, I have listened to people who hold perspectives on all sides of the question, and I am committed to providing gracious space for everyone in our Diocese.
I ask your prayers for me and for our Diocese as we move together into the future. May Christ show us the path toward light and life.
Thank you for listening.
The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil
“And every priest who wants to officiate at same-sex weddings will receive permission.” That would take them out of the assembly who serve Christ then:
Romans 6:16 – English Standard Version
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
“We need to make sure this Diocese is a safe place for clergy who teach and uphold the traditional view of marriage, as well as for clergy who teach and uphold a view that includes same-sex marriage, so that all may thrive side by side. We want to move carefully and get this right.” Who do you think you are fooling? Light has no relationship with darkness. A church is not built on “If you like this sin, come here. We’ll try to convince you that you are following Christ,” Church “shopping” does not include assemblies that condone sin.
How long until funds are denied to these men teaching that Christ lies?
Funds denied to heretical priests, parishes and dioceses? It won’t happen in Canada. The orthodox dioceses are few and far between. The Primate and the overwhelming majority of bishops support this direction. However, in the sense that the attendance and giving stats are plummeting, I suppose in due course the money will dry up. You can only sell off a church building once and there are a set number of churches that can be closed and sold. It is very sad. Though I try to remind myself that God is not nearly as concerned about those buildings as I am.
Canada has gone so far apostate that one, if they are a Christian, needs to be careful about speaking the truth – not that we should lie but being as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves, as Canada has become a den of wolves.
We had an assembly sharing our church with us because of what happened to the Anglicans in Canada and this particular church didn’t leave the Lord with them.
How can one not expect attendance to be dwindling when they are teaching lies. Everyone knows what they are teaching is lies, even the ones with the itchy ears. So, the money will dry up eventually. It really hurts me to watch all of this. God is still in control though, eh?
How can one change what the Bible has clearly taught. How much more apostate can they go?
They are going to allow people who are not Christians, actually damned to Hell by the Lord, to marry as Christians? They are going to change their rule books to contradict the word of God. This isn’t a church, this is satan’s den.
“We are working toward the day when all may be welcomed to be married in the Church.” Well that opens the door wide. As they have already decided Holy Scripture is in error on marriage I guess they, the Diocese of Toronto, cannot turn aside anyone. So can they turn aside a brother and sister who are in love, what about polyandry or polygamy if there is love. When man has turn from God to follow his desires, he has shown that he can justify anything.
Since one bishop of the diocese of Toronto presided over the gay marriage of another bishop of the diocese of Toronto some while back (sufficiently long ago that both the groom/bride and the presider had Lambeth invitations in hand months before the Toronto synod), one wonders what the purpose of this announcement really is. The diocese of Toronto decided to leave the real Church a long time ago for whatever neo-pseudo-Christo-paganism it is they are currently practicing. No doubt there are some real Christians remaining, but the leadership abandoned the doctrine of the church well before this synod, or the ACoC synod of last summer.