The Panel of Reference New Westminster

For over three years now, most of the Communion’s attention has been focussed on the Episcopal Church of the USA due to its decisions at the 2003 General Convention. It is easily forgotten that the current crisis was really triggered a year earlier when, in June 2002, the Diocese of New Westminster decided to authorise same-sex blessings through a synodical vote (the third, following similar votes in 1998 and 2001) and the consent of its bishop, Michael Ingham. This action was not only clearly in opposition to Lambeth 1998 Resolution 1.10 but also to the 1979 statement of the Canadian House of Bishops that they “do no accept the blessing of homosexual unions”. In response to the Synod’s decision, eight parishes left the Synod and took various actions to distance themselves from the diocese.