The rectors and majorities in each of their congregations have differed from the rest of the diocese since June, 2002, when their clergy and delegates to the Diocesan Synod (Annual General Meeting) walked out and from that point have refused to support the diocese financially.

The walkout took place just after a majority voted for the third time to ask the bishop to create a blessing of same sex unions for gay men and lesbians who seek to be included in the Anglican Church and promised to maintain permanent, faithful relationships.

About a year later the bishop issued a rite. It is used only by priests who in conscience feel they should perform the blessing, and only in parishes that have voted to be a place of such blessings. To date, 7 of about 80 parishes in the diocese have voted to offer same sex blessings.

The Shared Episcopal Ministry proposal was approved by the Anglican Canadian bishops by a vote of 35 to 3 at a meeting in Saskatoon on Nov. 3. (The word “episcopal” refers to “bishops.”)

It provides that dissenting parishes could be ministered to by a bishop other than Bishop Ingham (the “diocesan bishop”). In the Diocese of New Westminster’s case, this bishop most likely would not agree with same sex blessings.

A number of conditions are laid out in the proposal including these:

• A majority of the bishops within the region – in this case the five current bishops in BC and the Yukon – have to agree on a list of current or retired bishops that might serve. The list would be drawn up by the chief bishop (the “Metropolitan”) in the region.
• The Diocesan Synod has to vote to fund the other bishop.
• The dissenting parishes must vote by a 2/3 majority to ask for this bishop.
• The dissenting parishes must maintain their current and future financial commitments to the diocese.

Formal jurisdiction would remain with the diocesan bishop, but proposal provides that the other bishop would be part of the process in clergy appointments, parish visits, confirmation, pastoral care of clergy, recruitment of new priests and deacons and their ordinations.

The Canadian bishops’ proposal says that shared episcopal ministry is to be a “temporary arrangement directed toward reconciliation.” Each arrangement is to be reviewed every three years.

Bishop Ingham asked the rectors to give the proposal “prayerful consideration.”

“I hope it remains your goal as well as mine to work towards reconciliation of the honestly held differences that unfortunately continue to divide us.”

Receiving the proposal from Bishop Ingham were the Revs. David Short of St. John’s, Stephen Leung of Good Shepherd, Simon Chin of St. Matthews and St. Luke, Dawn McDonald of Holy Cross, and Trevor Walters of St. Matthew’s.

The rectors of three other congregations that also walked out in June of 2002 decided last spring to leave the Anglican Church of Canada and the diocese. On November 30, Bishop Ingham gave formal notice that he accepted their decision, but said the parishes (and properties associated with them) remain in the dioceses.

The text of the bishop’s letter follows:

Memorandum

T0: The Reverends David Short, Trevor Walters, Simon Chin, Stephen Leung, Dawn McDonald
From: Bishop Michael Ingham
Date: December 2, 2004
Subject: Shared Episcopal Ministry

Dear Fellow Clergy:

As you may already know, the House of Bishops at its recent meeting in Saskatoon approved a document called Shared Episcopal Ministry.

I am enclosing it for your perusal, and invite you to give it your prayerful consideration to see whether it might provide a basis for a resumption of conversations between us.

While I recognize this document does not satisfy all the requests you have made of the House, it was endorsed almost unanimously by the bishops and represents their considered and probably final position on the matter.

Bishop Terry Buckle is now the Acting Metropolitan of the Province of British Columbia and Yukon and he, together with the Provincial House of Bishops, will be overseeing this process in New Westminster. You may know that I have lifted the inhibition against Bishop Buckle, as a sign of reconciliation, and that I intend to work with him to ensure the restoration of relationships within the Diocese and the wider church.

I hope it remains your goal as well as mine to work towards reconciliation of the honestly held differences that unfortunately continue to divide us.

I invite you and your congregations back to the table. Let us make our best efforts for the sake of Christ and the mission of his Church.

Kindest regards,

The Right Reverend Michael Ingham
Bishop