Two parishes that broke away from the Anglican Church of Canada over same-sex marriage are coming together in St. John's this weekend to hear about the support their movement is garnering across the country.

The splinter group doesn't agree with the blessing of same-sex marriages, an issue being hotly debated by the church.

Bishop Donald Harvey, moderator of the traditionalist Anglican Network of Canada, told CBC News the dissidents are not alone.

"This time last year, we had two parishes. When we launched we had two bishops, two parishes, two priests, two deacons. Now, less than a year later, we have 23 parishes, we have over 60 clergy," Harvey said.

One of the breakaway parishes is led by Rev. Howard Hynes.

For 25 years the pastor tended a flock of over 500 families at the Anglican church in Topsail, N.L.

Bucking social trends

Last year he left that church to lead a small parish of about 35 people. He and his congregation feel new social trends aren't in line with what the church has traditionally taught.

"Our understanding of Scripture from beginning to end is that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman and, as much as we would like to go along with the Canadian way, our adherence is first and foremost to the Scriptures," Hynes said.

On Sunday night, the two breakaway groups will meet for the first time to hear stories from church leaders about the movement and recent developments around the world.

Harvey said there is an effort to create a new Anglican body in North America — one that will represent the beliefs of orthodox Anglicans who are against current liberalization of the church.