John Thompson
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (June 06/05) - The archbishop for the Anglican Arctic Diocese is calling for more discussion on same-sex marriage.

"What we haven't had until now is a sound theological debate on same-sex marriages," said Arctic Diocese Archbishop John Clarke, who was in Iqaluit for a synod last week.

Archbishop John Clarke from Athabasca was in Iqaluit recently for a synod where Anglicans came out against same-sex marriages. Clarke said the statement of faith issued at the annual meeting shouldn't be read as an attack on gays and lesbians.

While the public furor around same-sex marriage has focused on human rights, Clarke said the diocese's statement of faith released at the synod focused on interpretation of scripture.

"Adultery, fornication and same-sex unions are intimacies contrary to God's design," reads part of the statement of faith that passed unanimously during the synod held by the Arctic Diocese.

Traditional values

Clarke, who is from Athabasca, Alberta, said the statement shows Northern Anglicans have retained the traditional values introduced by early missionaries, but shouldn't be read as an attack on gays and lesbians. Part of the statement also condemns homophobia as an evil.

"From my perspective, there was no animosity."

The statement was based on their prayer book and traditions as well as a statement known as the Montreal Declaration, which was drafted a decade ago by conservative Anglicans.

There's no consensus among the Anglican community on same-sex marriage. In New Westminster, B.C., several same-sex unions have been blessed by Anglican ministers. The Anglican House of Bishops has called for a moratorium on similar ceremonies, and Clarke said the Arctic's statement of faith would eliminate the possibility of similar blessings happening in the North.

Gay and lesbian Anglicans can become ministers, provided they take a vow of celibacy.

"We don't discriminate against homosexuals, but we do discriminate against homosexuality, because, quite frankly, we don't agree with it."

The Arctic statement precedes a national meeting in 2007 that will debate the issue of same-sex marriage.

Until then, Clarke said discussion on the contentious issue will continue.

"The important thing is, we need to keep the conversation going. This motion does nothing to close the door on this conversation happening."