Local congregation stands in solidarity with same-sex marriage

St.Aidan's Anglican Church in London, Ont. is refusing to accept the Anglican Church of Canada's decision to reject same-sex marriage.

On Friday, a motionat the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod to modify the definition of marriage to include same-sex marriagefailed to pass by a narrow vote. St. Aidan's Anglican Church Reverend Kevin Georgesaid he was disappointed by the outcome.

"As an institution, we essentially said to the LGBTQ community: 'we still don't see you as the same when it comes to the sacrament of marriage," George said.

"We broke their hearts."

George watched from home as the decision unfolded at the church's general assemblyin Vancouver.

"I went from tears, to anger, to action," he said.

As soon as the decision was read, George decided to call upon the St. Aidan's communityto show how they, as a local congregation, felt about the decision to continue to prohibit same-sex marriage in their church.

On Sunday, people arrived to the regularservice wearing colourful clothes as a sign of support to the LGBTQ community and dissatisfaction toward the decision of the Anglican Church of Canada.

'What I saw on Sunday was an overwhelming display of love, care, acceptance and welcome to all people," Georgesaid. "It was incredible to witness what we can be when we actually let the world know that our ailing governance model is not a reflection of who we are as a community."

Georgesaidthere's a disconnect between members of theAnglican church and the body that governs it.

"For most of our people, this is not a conversation any longer. We've long accepted gay people into out community," he said. "We are saddened that the church itself has not yet made it possible for me to be able to perform a gay wedding at my church," he added.

We're being called upon to take down the barriers and to make same-sex marriageavailable to everybody- Rev.Kevin George

During the synod in Vancouver, theAnglican church did pass a motion to allow each diocese to respond to the issue of same-sex marriage in a way that fits their theological understanding and practice.

This motioncould allow St. Aidan'sto eventuallyperform same-sex marriage. However, an approval from the Bishop of the Diocese of Huron is required first.

"The narrative of Jesus is love. We're being called upon to take down the barriers and to make same-sex marriageavailable to everybody," said George.