Synod 2012 - UPDATED

The events of Synod got underway Friday morning, May 11th with Bishop Michael Ingham presiding at a ceremonial tree planting ceremony at St. John’s (Shaughnessy) followed by the Synod Opening Eucharist also at St. John’s. The opening worship was organized by St. James’, Vancouver.
Then Synod travelled the 8.3 kilometres from St. John’s to the Grand Ballroom of the Italian Cultural Centre where over two days beginning at 1pm, May 11th the Synod business meeting was held.
There were many highlights from the 111th Synod and Diocesan Communications will assemble a full summary and highlights package over the next few days.
Of interest to many was the passing of Motion #1 on the afternoon of May 12th by a substantial majority of Synod.
In this motion, Synod requested that the Bishop lift the partial moratorium that has been in place since 2005 and authorize priests of the Diocese of New Westminster to bless the civil marriages of gay and lesbian couples in those parishes that support this pastoral act.
There was debate on the motion and two proposed amendments, one that was defeated and one that was deemed “friendly” by the mover and seconder of the motion.
Bishop Michael responded by saying that he will think about this decision and that he plans to confer with many members of the diocese.
Prior to the 2005 Synod, when the diocese passed the motion placing a partial moratorium on same sex blessings there were 8 parishes that had voted in favour at their Annual Vestry Meetings of being parishes offering same sex blessings.
Over the last 7 years much has changed, and in Canada civil marriage of same sex couples is now the law of the land.