Anglicans affirm adult same-sex relationships
CANADIAN PRESS

ST. CATHARINES - The Anglican Church of Canada approved a measure today to "affirm the integrity and sanctity of committed adult same-sex relationships."

The move stops short of authorizing dioceses to hold same-sex blessing ceremonies, but is still likely to complicate efforts aimed at unifying the 77 million-member Anglican Communion. The worldwide Anglican body is deeply divided over homosexuality.

Delegates to a national church meeting handed the victory to supporters of gays and lesbians as a consolation prize the morning after they voted to delay any national go-ahead on church blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples until 2007 and possibly 2010.

The "integrity and sanctity" measure was approved by a show of hands.