Paper: B.C. church shut over same-sex unions issue

By The Associated Press

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TORONTO — An Anglican bishop in British Columbia has ordered a church closed after it refused to support same-sex unions and declared itself independent, Canada's National Post newspaper said yesterday.

Despite the decision by Bishop Michael Ingham to close the Holy Cross Church in Abbotsford, the Rev. James Wagner said his congregation would celebrate Mass on Christmas as planned.

"As far as the diocese is concerned, we do not exist. We are a nonentity," Wagner was quoted as saying, "but I will not abandon these people."

Ronald Harrison, executive archdeacon of the Diocese of New Westminster, was quoted as saying Holy Cross brought the closure upon itself by seeking oversight from another bishop. By declaring itself "independent," the church lost its funding from the archdiocese and eventually Ingham had to close it, Harrison said.

Ingham's decision to sanction same-sex unions and related issues involving homosexuality have caused deep divisions.

Two months ago Anglican leaders met in London at a crisis conference called largely because of dissension over the choice of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire and Ingham's approval of same-sex unions.

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