The Rev. Kevin Dixon of St. Mary's Kerrisdale

The Diocesan Reconciliation Task Force has made another appeal for input from Anglicans in the Diocese of New Westminster.  The task force has come up with preliminary recommendations and is asking for comment.
In brief, the recommendations - according to the Rev. Kevin Dixon, chair -  are that the diocese, while continuing the blessing of same sex unions, formally respond to the recommendations of Primates of the Anglican Communion that met in Ireland, and continue to seek the advice from others in the Anglican Church of Canada regarding the dissenting parishes in the diocese.
They also have recommended that a strategy for “more effective pastoral care” be found to strengthen relationships among clergy, parishes, and the diocese. In order “not to lose its sense of perspective” they are urging the diocese to renew its focus on ministry and outreach.
(The request for input can be found here, and the task force’s preliminary report to Diocesan Council can be found here.)
The task force called that the difference of theological opinion found within the diocese “principled,” and that it’s larger than just the issue of blessing same-sex union. Even language can be a problem, they found – some people find the use of the word “reconciliation” difficult, and think it implies that one side or the other must “compromise” or even “surrender.”
The task force’s final report will go to Diocesan Council in April, and from there to the Diocesan Synod May 13 and 14.