Bishop Michael Ingham, of the Anglican Church Diocese of New Westminster, is pictured in North Vancouver on May 30, 2003. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Chuck Stoody
April 02, 2013 - 5:28 PM
NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - The long-time leader of the Anglican church in Metro Vancouver — who was at the centre of a controversy over same-sex marriages — has announced he's retiring.
Michael Ingham will step down as Bishop of the New Westminster Archdiocese on Aug. 31 after serving in the position since 1994.
In a statement announcing his retirement, Ingham says his diocese has spearheaded positive changes in the Church, including the ordination of women priests and accepting same-sex marriages.
Breakaway members of the church who were opposed to same-sex marriage took the diocese to court in a bid to claim ownership of their church buildings and bank accounts.
However, they lost in two B.C. courts and the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear an appeal of those rulings.
Dean of the Diocese Peter Elliott will assume administrative responsibilities for the diocese on Sept. 1 until a new bishop is elected to replace Ingham.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013