The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada decided late Saturday to defer a vote on the contentious question of blessing same-sex unions.

Meeting in Winnipeg, about 300 delegates had been preparing for an open discussion about whether the church should allow priests to bless same-sex couples who marry in a civil ceremony.

"We haven't actually made any decision one way or the other on this point," said David Ashdown, Bishop of Keewatin. 

He said the vote may come Sunday. The meeting ends Monday.

The issue has divided Canada's two million Anglican congregants, and the church may be affected internationally no matter which way the vote turns out.

Those on both sides of the debate believe that if same-sex blessings are adopted, the Canadian wing of the church faces a real threat of dissociation from the worldwide Anglican Communion — the world's third-largest Christian denomination.

On the other hand, a No vote would put the Canadian church at odds with the U.S. branch, called the Episcopal Church, the only one that has authorized the blessing of same-sex unions.

The church does not marry same-sex couples.

Issue divides Anglicans

Peter Tovell, a gay man married in a civil ceremony and member of Integrity Canada, an Anglican gay advocacy group, said gay marriage is a reality in Canada and "the church has to realize this is part of the world."

The Rev. Don Alcock from Ontario once lived as a gay man, but then turned to the church to heal what he calls his "brokenness."

"Our argument is you were not born to be that way. You were born the way God created us to be, and that was man and woman."

But theologian David Neelands from Trinity College said both sides are using the Bible to make their case. "The Bible really cuts both ways on this."

Some observers said the vote appeared to be too close to call. If Canadian Anglicans can't decide this weekend, the synod could let individual parishes decide whether to bless same-sex unions.

On Friday, delegates voted Fred Hiltz, bishop for the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, as the new head of Canada's Anglicans.

The Anglican Journal reported that Hiltz said "I don't think it's appropriate to declare my position" on the blessings question, saying he had confidence in the process.

"The conversation must go forward in the way that the church has decided it should go forward,” he said.