Seven bishops from Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario say they are concerned the result is "a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching held by the majority of the Anglican communion."

"We believe that our General Synod has erred grievously," the bishops wrote in a statement.

They criticized the process, saying it "has been flawed and has inflicted terrible hurt and damage on all involved."

Won't happen overnight

For Maureen Doherty, a longtime Iqaluit resident, the controversy isn't a surprise -- but it is a disappointment.

"For a lot of people, [the vote result] was a wonderful thing," she said. "For many others, it was devastating."

Doherty has been involved in the city's gay community for many years and is also a lifelong Anglican.

She said this step toward tolerance has also brought forward negativity and "hurtful bullying" which has no place in the church.

With so many gay young people struggling to find acceptance, Doherty hoped the church might use this as an opportunity to become a safe haven.

"Instead, what we're hearing are words like 'abomination,' words like 'we need protection,' and that's really upsetting for me -- because I know these young people and they're lovely and they're wonderful and they want to live full lives."

Still, Doherty holds out hope that change, while it won't happen overnight, is coming.

"It's not people dancing from the rooftops, but for a lot of people, it's a terribly important step to know that they will have a place of acceptance in a church that's been their church for all these years."

The resolution will have to pass a second vote at an assembly of clergy, bishops and lay representatives in 2019, before it can become church law.

*****

HALIFAX: No same-sex weddings yet for Maritime Anglicans, bishops announce

By ROB ROBERTS
THE CANADIAN PRESS
July 19, 2016

Anglican bishops in the Maritimes say they will not allow their clergy to participate in same-sex weddings for the time being, even as some bishops elsewhere have given the green light.

The Canadian church narrowly voted last week at its General Synod to allow same-sex marriage, but the resolution still needs affirmation at the 2019 synod before it becomes church law.

Although some Ontario bishops said they will immediately allow priests to officiate at same-sex weddings, Bishop Ron Cutler of the Nova Scotia and P.E.I. diocese and Bishop David Edwards of New Brunswick say they won't follow suit.

"I spoke against the motion and you should know I voted against it," Edwards said in a pastoral letter.

"I wish you all to understand that I voted as I did for two reasons: my understanding of the nature of marriage; and my concerns for some of our indigenous peoples and allied to this, issues around the Anglican Communion."

Cutler said in a Facebook post the change was supported by all delegates from Nova Scotia and P.E.I., including himself, but he wants to consult other diocese leaders before changing practices.

"At this moment I am not willing to give a similar permission (as some bishops elsewhere)," he said.

"With the bruises of this highly divisive debate still fresh, I am hoping that we can take the time to speak and listen to one another, together shaping a diocesan response."

Cutler noted that his diocese already offers blessings for same sex couples who have been married in civic ceremonies.

Edward said he believes "everyone" should be included in the life of the church, and he said he is still coming to terms with the implications of the vote.

"I would ask those who feel uncomfortable ... to bear with us. We do not know what the future holds and I ask that we stay together for the sake of the Gospel," Edward said.

The vote at the General Synod -- which was close enough that a tabulating error briefly left the impression the change had been voted down -- exposed deep fault lines in the church.

Northern representatives in particular opposed the move, with Yukon Bishop Larry Robertson leaving the floor in protest, saying he was angered at what he called an adversarial process.

"This process has been wrenching for our whole church, especially the members of the LGBTQ2+ community," Cutler noted in his post. "The aftermath of this roller coaster of emotions left most members of synod absolutely drained."

The resolution got the required two-thirds vote to pass. The church's current marriage canon does not specifically ban same-sex marriages.

One supporter, Ottawa Bishop John Chapman, said in a statement that his pastoral decision to allow them is necessary. But, he said he wouldn't force anyone to officiate over them.

"It is time, my friends," Chapman said. "It is past time."

About 1.6 million Canadians identify as Anglican, according to Statistics Canada, and church figures indicate more than 500,000 of them are part of about 2,800 congregations across the country.