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Vancouver, July 13 – General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada did not approve changes to the Marriage Canon to permit same-sex marriages in a close vote late last night, July 12 at its 42nd session held in Vancouver.

Second reading of the proposed changes needed 2/3 of “yes” votes in each order – bishops, clergy and laity – to make the Marriage Canon of the Anglican Church of Canada applicable “to all persons who are duly qualified by civil law to enter into marriage”. It received the necessary majority among clergy and laity but failed to gain 2/3 support among bishops who voted with 62.2% for the proposal.

The resolution to change the Marriage Canon passed its first reading, also in a very close vote, at Synod’s previous meeting in 2016.