The head of the Anglican Church of Canada says a bishop in eastern Newfoundland has made inaccurate statements about the church's internal debate over the blessing of same-sex marriages.
Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, primate of the Canadian wing of the church, is challenging Bishop Geoff Peddle's assertion that the church is unlikely to allow the practice because indigenous bishops and the people they represent are opposed to the idea.
Peddle's comments were made earlier this week during an interview broadcast across Newfoundland and Labrador by radio station VOCM.
He could not be reached for comment today.
Hiltz says the church's 45 bishops in Canada have made it clear they are unlikely to reach the two-thirds consensus needed to change the church's rules at its next General Synod in July.
However, Hiltz stressed that it would be inaccurate to suggest that the church's three indigenous bishops are largely responsible for that position, saying there are plenty of non-indigenous bishops who also hold conservative views.