Canadian Anglicans move closer to blessing gay marriages

An AP report from The Boston Globe reports:

The Anglican Church of Canada affirmed the ''integrity and sanctity" of same-sex relationships yesterday, a move that stops short of authorizing blessing ceremonies for gay couples but still may provoke rancor in the global Anglican Communion.

The sanctity measure, which passed with a show of hands at a national church meeting, was offered to encourage gays and lesbians and their supporters. Gay advocates were disheartened by a decision Wednesday to delay any national go-ahead on church blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples until at least 2007.

Chris Ambidge, Toronto leader of Integrity, the Anglican gay and lesbian caucus, said yesterday's sanctity action will help in evangelizing gays and lesbians. ''This says the Anglican Church values you as partnered people," he said.

Here's an analysis by Terry Mattingly at the GetReligion blog.