Bishop Ingham declined, but agreed to study the subject. Opponents of the practice say Bishop Ingham's diocese is being torn apart by the sexuality debate, and that conservative priests are afraid to speak against it for fear of losing their jobs. Anything that legitimizes and blesses behaviour which the majority of Christians have rejected-to play with rites in this way is simply not acceptable. The Rev. Paul Borthistle, who chaired the team that wrote the same-sex liturgy, says bishops have a responsibility to push churches toward change in order to meet the needs of worshippers. In the history of the Christian church, beginning from the first century, there is precedent for bishops to break new ground.
Somebody has to be the first to do something.
In 1998, Vancouver Anglicans voted by a slim majority to bless homosexual relationships. Bishop Michael Ingham declined, but set up a process to study the subject.