(This is the Bishop of Vancouver/New Westminster who has approved same-sex blessings writing to his churches)

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Pastoral Letter from Bishop Michael Ingham to be read in all churches, at all services on Sunday 29 June 2003

Dear Friends in Christ:

I write to you as your bishop concerning some widely publicized reactions to the recent decisions of our Diocesan Synod. As you may know, several bishops and Primates from various parts of the world have expressed strong disagreement with the blessing of same-sex unions - to the point, in some cases, of declaring a state of "impaired communion" with the Diocese of New Westminster.

This means that Anglicans in these dioceses are being prohibited by their bishop from receiving communion in our diocese, and we in theirs. Similar steps have been threatened by these same bishops against the Episcopal Church of the United States as well as the Church of England, where decisions have recently been made with which they also disagree.

Let me assure you that our diocese remains in full communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Metropolitan of British Columbia and Yukon. We are members of the Canadian Church and of the worldwide Anglican Communion. These declarations by others should be viewed as expressions of anger and dissent, and while we regret their intensity you may be assured they will have no effect, legal or practical, on Anglicans here in our diocese. In St Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, the apostle speaks of the church as the body of Christ, a body made up of many parts and members. He urges Christians of various sorts and conditions to welcome and respect each other whatever their differences. Paul specifically admonishes those who wish to declare others unwelcome by reminding them that no part of the body can say to another "I have no need of you" (I Cor. 12:21). The New Testament is full of such appeals to Christian charity and tolerance. Indeed, Paul says that charity is the greatest of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 13:13).

In light of Scripture, and in the spirit of mutual respect and tolerance, let me make it clear that the Diocese of New Westminster continues to welcome all members of the Anglican Communion, wherever they may be. We shall not exclude or reject our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, whatever their personal convictions, and we wish to assure them that the doors of our churches remain open to all. Furthermore, we shall continue as a diocese to support the mission work of the Canadian church in the North and overseas with our financial contributions, even where certain bishops have attempted to exclude their people from fellowship with us.

Finally, let me clarify our position with respect to the recent decisions of Canadian courts and the announcement of the federal government about same-sex marriage. Our Synod has approved the blessing of unions between persons of the same sex, not marriage. Marriage in our church continues to be a bond between husband and wife, and it lies solely within the power of the national church to change that definition.

The church is in the midst of change, as it has oftentimes been before. We acknowledge the difficulties some may have with our desire to be a welcoming and inclusive church. At the same time, we continue to receive many expressions of support and encouragement from around the world. Let us get on with being the church of Jesus Christ, in the spirit of friendship and in the bonds of peace, and leave behind the division and discontent which is a distraction from our life and worship.

Kindest regards,

The Right Reverend Michael Ingham
Bishop of New Westminster

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