From the Anglican Planet:
The Bishop of Ottawa has knowingly and openly ordained to the deaconate a man in a same-sex marriage. The diocesan newspaper CrossTalk reported on its front page that on Oct. 5, the Rt. Rev. John Chapman (left) ordained Ross Hammond as a transitional deacon, (one who intends to become a priest). The newspaper recorded that “Ross is married to Albert Klein.” Last year two large historic churches left the Diocese of Ottawa because of its liberal stance on same-sex blessings and the ordination of non-celibate gay clergy. St. Alban’s and St. George’s have realigned with the Anglican Network in Canada and are in property disputes with their former diocese. In his charge to synod on Oct. 22, Chapman said “The pace is slow but the Episcopal Office continues to work toward confirmation of our right of ownership.” It is thought that his office is awaiting the precedent-setting outcome of a similar property dispute in the Vancouver-based Diocese of New Westminster before proceeding.
Statistics Canada reported 6,105,910 heterosexual married couples in 2006 and 7,465 same-sex married couples; of these same-sex couples, about 140 might be Anglican – assuming the same ratio as in the rest of the population. According to the census, half of all same-sex married couples live in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. That leaves 70 same-sex Anglican couples for the rest of Canada. I wonder how long and hard Chapman had to look to find such a couple close to Ottawa, one half of which was interested in becoming a priest; did he have to bribe him?
Anglican Samizdat 