Bishop of Huron released a statement on July 18 authorizing the availability of marriage to same-sex couples starting August 1, 2019 as a pastoral local option under the following guidelines:
- Same-sex marriages will be permitted in parishes where the priest and the Parish Council have considered this matter and agreed that the parish will do so.
- Any parish desiring to do so will write a letter to the Bishop requesting permission – signed by the priest (rector/incumbent) and the Wardens and including a description of the consideration taken by the Parish Council.
- No parish is required to offer same-sex marriage in their location.
- Clergy already have provision by canon to refuse to perform a marriage for reasons of conscience