Same-sex unions approved 177 - 97 in CANADIAN Anglican Vote

Over at titusonenine the initial report is that the Synod voted 177 - 97 in favor of blessings - background:

Local Anglican church officials will have their collective pulse taken today on the controversial issue of blessing same-sex marriages.

Church clergy and laity attending the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa's annual synod in Cornwall will vote on a motion asking the local bishop to allow clergy "whose conscience permits" to bless same-sex unions.

If approved, it will then be up to Bishop John Chapman to make a final decision on whether the practice will be allowed.

The issue comes months after a similar motion was narrowly defeated by the General Synod of Canada. The bishops voted 21 to 19 against the idea of allowing same-sex blessing ceremonies, even though the church agreed same-sex blessings do not conflict with its "core doctrine." At that time, Chapman voted in favour of allowing same-sex blessings, but it remains to be seen whether he will offer the same support at the diocesan level. The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa covers most of eastern Ontario - including Cornwall and S, D and G - and western Quebec and consists of 142 congregations organized as 84 parishes.

During the traditional bishop's charge at the opening of the synod Friday, Chapman did not express where he stood on the matter, but he did welcome the motion.

"This motion is taking the pulse of the diocese," he told a crowd of roughly 350 assembled at Nav Canada. "This is information that I welcome and I will utilize in a prayerful manner." More here