Bishop Michael Ingham’s comment regarding a statement issued by the House of Bishops meeting in Windsor, Ontario, on April 27:

Along with my fellow bishops I have agreed “neither to encourage nor to initiate” the rite of same sex blessing until General Synod in 2007.

The phrase “neither to encourage nor to initiate” comes from the Primate’s Communiqué of February 24. Several Primates have made it clear that the phrase means there should be no further actions beyond those already started.

I made it explicitly clear to the Canadian House that, in view of the upcoming Synod in New Westminster, I could sign the statement issued today only on the understanding that I would be governed very much by the advice of my own Synod.

No bishop was in any doubt that I did not commit myself to a moratorium on same sex blessings.

Meanwhile, the blessing of same sex-unions continues within the Diocese of New Westminster as provided by the regulations stipulated by our Diocesan Synod.

They shall occur only when the priest involved agrees in conscience to preside in the ceremony, and only in parishes where the Vestry has asked me to designate their parish a place of same sex blessings.