A former Anglican archbishop has been suspended from performing weddings after he married a lesbian couple in Toronto.

 

Most Rev. Terence Finlay performed the ceremony in June, marrying Mary Rowe and Sandra Morris in a Toronto United Church.

 

The United Church permits same-sex unions, but they violate Anglican canon law.

 

Finlay, who is a retired bishop for Toronto, officiated and gave his blessing at the ceremony but the marriage license was signed by the minister at the United Church.

 

Though the wedding was not held in an Anglican church, Finlay’s ability to perform weddings was suspended.

 

Finlay told the Anglican Journal that he has known Rowe since she was a child and their families have been close for many years. He said the decision to officiate the wedding was not “a publicity stunt” designed to force debate on the issue within the Canadian church.

The Anglican Church is divided world wide on this issue. In 1991 Finlay fired a gay priest. He has since apologized.

Canadian Charter of Rights

A few months ago the Canadian Justice Minister Vic Toews announced there would be back up plans regarding a Conservative plan for a free vote on Bill C-38. While the Charter protects freedom of religion, there has been confusion about the rights of religions, their officials and justices of the peace who refuse to perform same sex ceremonies. There has also been confusion about boundaries of speech.

The Conservatives are putting together a Defence of Religions Act as back up.

I find the Globe and Mail report a bit disingenuous. It states:

A few rebel Conservatives are likely to join with opposition MPs to defeat the motion to reopen the same-sex marriage debate, which would prompt the government to introduce the backup legislation.

It is a free vote, a vote of conscience, so under that definition, saying Conservatives MPs who have made a decision contary to perceived party interests are ’rebels’ doesn’t fit.  Canadians working in the marriage industry or special interest groups may well want or need clearer guidance; but this is not a main issue for voters, most of whom would like the federal government to get on with priorities such as the economy (#1 concern), environmental issues, health care and the military.