Canadian Anglicans lock up rebel church

TORONTO, March 4 (UPI) -- The Anglican Church of Canada padlocked a Toronto church whose congregation voted to go elsewhere over same-sex marriages, the Toronto Star reported.

The congregation of St. Chad's voted last month to become part of the conservative Anglican Network in Canada, which operates under Buenos Aires-based Archbishop Gregory Venables, leader of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.

In a news release, Toronto Bishop Philip Poole said a security guard and the changed locks will remain in place for a "cooling off period." the Star said.

"Parishioners have the absolute right to choose where they wish to worship -- what they don't have is the right to take the building with them," Poole wrote.

Nine other Anglican churches in Canada have left the Anglican fold to join the Southern Cone, which opposes same-sex marriages, as well as female priests, the report said.