The statement also commits the House to develop pastoral strategies to give effect to the acceptance of gays and lesbians to whom "we are already committed by previous General Synod and Council of General Synod resolutions, House of Bishops guidelines and Lambeth Conference statements."

Bishop Patrick Yu of Toronto, one of the authors of the statement, said the question now is "how do we move forward in a situation of no consensus. We bishops represent a diverse group," he said. "It's a fragile situation."

A motion to authorize the blessing of committed same-gender unions was narrowly defeated June 24 by members of the Synod.

On June 25, Synod also refused to ratify proposed changes to the membership of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) -- the Anglican Communion's main legislative body -- that would see all Primates of the Communion automatically become members.

In moving rejection, Bishop Sue Moxley of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and a member of the ACC, said the changes would add a third more members to the council, resulting in increased costs.

Moxley also pointed out that the changes need the approval of two thirds of the provinces of the Communion.

Continuing coverage of the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod is available here, and through the website of the Anglican Journal, the church's editorially independent national newspaper, here.