Canadian Church Affirms Same-Sex Unions

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario (AP) - The Anglican Church of Canada approved a measure Thursday to ``affirm the integrity and sanctity of committed adult same sex relationships.'' The move stops short of authorizing dioceses to hold same-sex blessing ceremonies but is still likely to complicate efforts aimed at unifying the 77 million-member Anglican Communion. The worldwide Anglican body is deeply divided over homosexuality. Delegates to a national church meeting handed the victory to supporters of gays and lesbians as a consolation prize the morning after they voted to delay any national go-ahead on church blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples till 2007 and possibly 2010. The ``integrity and sanctity'' measure was approved by a show of hands. World Anglican unity was one reason widely cited for delay on the same-sex rituals bill, which would have authorized the ceremonies under a so-called ``local option'' - meaning each diocese could decide for itself whether to offer them