GENERAL CONVENTION 2003
RELATIONSHIPS and BLESSINGS
WEB EDITOR'S NOTE: As Christians, we are called to live in a world of understanding, nonviolence, justice and mercy for all and respect for the dignity of every human being.(Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles). The debate over the propriety of the Church's blessing of same-sex relationships is heavy, filled with strong emotions, and polarized among many Episcopalians. The recent calling and election of Gene Robinson, an openly gay priest, to be ordained Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire has drawn media attention to the issue. It was a media focus during our General Convention. It is our hope that some of the material presented here will shed some background, understanding and healing of diverse opinions, and provide perspective for those who wish to approach the issue with an open mind. especially as we look toward our Diocesan Convention and the introduction of a similar resolution there -jd
SOME THOUGHTS FROM OUR BISHOP, Katharine Jefferts Schori
The larger church seems to be in a time of some anxiety, but then we seem to live in especially anxious times. I spent a day in mid-June with a roomful of bishops who are enormously concerned about the election of Gene Robinson as bishop coadjutor in New Hampshire, and about the possibility that General Convention will authorize the preparation of rites for blessing same-sex unions. If we can look at the situation dispassionately (which is far from easy), we soon discover that the same kind of furor accompanied the incorporation of non-white Episcopalians into the full life of this church, the ordination of women, and even the seating of women deputies in General Convention. The Holy Spirit continues to shake us up, whether we are ready or not. When we are confronted with an issue of inclusion, it seems to be an invitation to remember that the Body of Christ does not look just like any one of us, and that this Body is far more complex than we can imagine. We all reflect the image of God, but no one of us alone can reflect the fullness of God's image.
Jesus spent his time hanging out with the folks on the margin, because too often the rulers/authorities/governing bodies in his society were busy worrying about boundaries who was “in”and who was “out. ” If we're worried about whom to include, we've missed something essential about the gospel: Jesus invited everybody.
When we are faced with what a tough ethical question, how do we respond? As Anglicans, we look to three sources of authority scripture, tradition, and reason. If we still cannot come to a consensus, then the advice of Gamaliel (Acts 5:33-39) is appropriate “if this is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.” Or as Jesus said so often, "by their fruits you shall know them" and “judge not, lest ye be judged.” Our task is to look for God in our neighbors, whether we agree with them or not.
There is room in this expansive church of ours for all for those who agree with us and those who disagree, for those who seem to be innovating and those who see themselves as conserving the tradition because it's not our church, it's the Body whom Jesus has called together.
+Katharine
THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WERE APPROVED BY THE CONVENTION:
Make programs on marriage enrichment and renewal as well as premarital counseling available to congregations and dioceses
Acknowledged differences in pastoral practice in caring for homosexual persons (CO51);
BLESSINGS
OF SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS:
Note: There were 2 "official"
New Releases describing what the Convention decided about this topic. They
are both here:
1) A National Liturgy
for Blessings will not be designed
2) Deputies
approve compromise resolution on same-sex unions
YOU
MAY HAVE BEEN WONDERING What really happened
By CLAIMING THE BLESSING
web
site
LOCAL OPTION ENDORSED
| Current
Practice in Canadian Diocese of NEW WESTMINISTER Theology Supporting the Practice |
SEXUALITY
MATTERS; Is it an “Essential” of Faith?
An Editorial from the Diocese of Virginia
MARRIAGE
& BLESSING
by Pamela Darling, ThD
Bishop
CATHERINE M. WAYNICK (Indianapolis)
Considering Our True Calling...
| What I find condemned in scripture I would also condemn... The hate-filled power play of homosexual rape which is described in the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is one such practice. We would also deplore cultic ritual prostitution of any kind, and the promiscuous and hedonistic revelry condemned by Paul. |
HETEROSEXISM
by Katie Sherod
A Position Paper from The Witness
A NEW PURITANISM? by Tom Woodward
“CLAIMING THE BLESSING” - A helpful web site
No
Longer Strangers or Strange
Patriarchy
besieged - Communion or Federation?
by Pam Darling
TOBIAS
HALLER COMMENTS ON PRIMATES LETTER
Regarding Same - Sex Relationships
A MIDDLE WAY - Donald Goodheart, North Carolina
JOHN
SNOW on RELATIONSHIPS and a THEOLOGY OF MARRIAGE
Some reflections by Tom Woorward, Salinas, California
Bishop
JELINEK of Minnesota on the confirmation
of GENE ROBINSON of New Hampshire
(7/23)
UNION OF BLACK EPISCOPALIANS on REJECTION
CROSSING
LINES
A Sermon by Deputy Lowell Grisham,
July 20
LAMBETH
SPEAKS ABOUT THE ISSUE OF UNITY AMONG ANGLICANS
October 16, 2003
PRE-CONVENTION EUCHARIST (7/27) ADDRESSES SEXUALITY
Gene Robinson addresses Halfway to Lambeth Oct 25 (ENS)
As
the Diocese of Venezuela was Welcomed to full membership in the Episcopal
Church, Bishop Orland Guerrero was asked about the ramifications of the consent
for Bishop Gene Robinson. The Venezuelan prelate explained that homosexuality
is a difficult topic in Latin American, "but we know that there have
always been gay people everywhere, and there will always be. It is not a foreign
reality for us
either. We don't believe that it is the product of a certain culture, and
we are aware that it is a complex topic with many variables. Our clergy are
open to discussions, and they are not scandalized by it, and
I believe that our congregations share this view. Our ecumenical relations
won't be affected because other denominations are struggling with similar
issues, so they know what is going on. We will debate those topics when we
have to."
"I
must voice my thankfulness to Canon Gene Robinson of New Hampshire; he always
supported us and took part in the process. Because we have many small congregations,
he was always interested in our joining since
that will help us grow," he added.
| RETURN to General Convention DIRECTORY |
10/25/03 -j
| RETURN to General Convention DIRECTORY --| |
5/7/04 -j