The National Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada opposed a decision by the church's Eastern Synod, during a meeting in Waterloo in July, to allow individual congregations to decide whether to bless the unions of same-sex couples.

At a recent meeting in Winnipeg, the national council ruled the local synod didn't have the authority to vote on the issue known as the "local option."

Rev. Michael Pryse, bishop of the Kitchener-based Eastern Synod, is taking the council's ruling as an opinion that can be appealed to a church court of adjudication.

"I think it's appropriate that rather than responding quickly that everyone takes time to reflect on what's said and that a careful and considered response be given," Pryse said in an interview.

Pryse said no local pastors have approached him for approval for same-sex blessings and he won't consider such requests until after the local synod council meets.

The National Church Council is an executive committee composed of clergy and lay people with the bishops acting as non-voting advisers. Pryse attended last weekend's meeting.

While it called the Eastern Synod's decision out of bounds, the national council decided to present a motion at next year's national convention for delegates to reconsider the local option.

During the Eastern Synod convention in Waterloo in July, delegates voted 197-75 to allow individual congregations to decide whether to bless same-sex couples who are committing to lifelong relationships.

Before a pastor can bless a gay couple's union, the pastor must consult the bishop and get a two-thirds majority approval from the congregation.

Rosalynn Tubbe, a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Waterloo but not a delegate at the Waterloo convention, said it would be appropriate for the Eastern Synod to comply with the national church council request.

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