Episcopal Church leaders vote to give bishops latitude in same-sex blessings

Capping a 10-day convention in Anaheim, leaders of the Episcopal Church agreed today to consider marriage liturgies for same-sex unions and to give bishops greater latitude in meeting the needs of gay and lesbian couples.

The new policy marked a second triumph for liberals after the church gave final approval Tuesday to a measure ending a de facto ban on the ordination of gay bishops. 

Debate over liberalizing the rules revealed deep theological differences within the church of 2.1-million members, and raised new concerns over tensions with the global Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the communion.

On Friday, the U.S. church’s top two officials sought to calm fellow Anglicans, including the communion’s spiritual leader, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams

In a letter hand-delivered to Williams, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and the president of the House of Deputies, Bonnie Anderson, described the resolution on gay bishops as "more descriptive than prescriptive in nature." 

They explained that it does not repeal a prior de facto ban on ordinations but instead only reaffirms commitments made by the church’s constitution and canons (which prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation).

"In adopting this resolution, it is not our desire to give offense," they wrote. "We remain keenly aware of the concerns and sensibilities of our brothers and sisters in other churches across the communion. We believe also that the honesty reflected in this resolution is essential if indeed we are to live into the deep communion that we all profess and earnestly desire."

 

-- Duke Helfand in Anaheim

Comments

[Peter Ballenger]

I grew up Episcopal and left years ago primarily over this extreme liberal doctrine of the Church that defies Biblical teaching.

The Traditional Episcopal Church has been hi-jacked by liberal theologians who have thrown the Bible out the window.

The Episcopal Church will continue to decline in membership and influence as time goes by.

TN Shad

[Liz in CA]

Well, that's OK TN Shad -- since they're going to listen to the needs of EVERYONE now, not just the bigoted minds like yours, we're planning on exploring joining the church now that I and my partner would feel more welcome.

So, we cancel out your taking-your-marbles-and-leaving-in-a-huff.

Too bad you can't see that God loves EVERYBODY, not just people in opposite-sex couples. What a shame. You've missed the entire point.

[jeffrey hepler]

Hooray for immorality and sexual deviance!

[G. Wasson]

I joined the Episcopal Church last year precisely because it avoids the extremism of the fundamentalist approach to Holy Scripture, opting instead for a reasoned intrepretation that looks at the historical and cultural context of the sacred writings. Like a considerable number of disaffected Catholics (including me) and Protestants whose churches have been hijacked by conservative fundamentalists, I have found the Episcopal Church to be a welcoming alternative.

[Norman]

Loving and respecting all of God's children, be they gay or straight, is neither liberal nor conservative. It is God's will.
God made us all equally and blesses all forms of love

The Biblical passages referring to gays being an abomination are outdated, irrelevant and obviously written by man.

The Episcopal Church just gained thousands of more members by this daring and long awaited move toward God's divine plan.

Praise God

[Rand Reasoner]

As an Episcopal pastor I find all of this so "interesting." Our church is so interested in being politically correct and trendy that it is almost frightening.

One of the things that has become clearer and clearer to me is that the church has not adequately formed her leaders theologically or spiritually to address the issues that we face in the 21st century. Christian formation is a person and community becoming more and more to reflect the image of Jesus in our lives. This includes our thinking and our actions. This should be our goal not a "progressive agenda."

I'm not sure anyone attending our General Convention remembers sacramental theology classes from seminary. As a reminder to those who may have forgotten one of the elements necessary for a sacrament to be valid is the proper substance. For example you can't baptize in orange juice (it must be water) you cannot celebrate communion with coke and potato chips (it must be bread and wine). A marriage in the church must have the proper substance (male and female). This is 2,000 years of Christian teaching and practice.

On the issue of civil rights I believe the church should be involved in the debate about same sex civil unions, but marriage in the church is a sacramental rite and has to follow sacramental practice. Until the theology of marriage is addressed and changed by the Universal Church (which I would suggest is more that one million Episcopalians in the United States) and if the Episcopal Church chooses to go it alone in teaching and practicing same sex marriage in churches, we will become an insignificant sect holding some understandings of Christian faith and practice but certainly out of the mainstream of the body of Christ.

The justice issue our church must address is the issue of civil rights but that can't overturn 2000 years of sacramental theology.

[DB Hendriks]

To TN and Jeffrey;

If you're happy in your bigotry that's your privilege. It is, after all, a free country. Just, please, don't read Jesus in on the deal. As far as we know, by reading scripture, He never spoke a word about homosexuality.

I, like G. Wesson, have come to the Episcopal church recently, precisely because of it's enlightened Christian attitude on this and other issues.

[Mike]

These decisions may or may not result in reduced membership in the Episcopal Church; but it looks like they care more about 'loving God and loving neighbor' than they do with keeping in tune with the fundamentalst churches. I think I know which approach Jesus would favor.

[RH]

What is occurring in the Episocopal Church is reflected in the Progressive belief that the US Constitution is a dynamic document. These same, misguided people would have one accept that God did not mean what He said in His Holy Word. Another parallel can be seen in the public education system where those who do not agree with historical fact simply rewrite them to their satisfaction. No problem, "it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of a righteous God". Judgement will come. If it does not, then everything these so called "Christians" believe was pure fable all along.

[James]

Many parishes will lose their biggest givers to the Anglican Church in North America.

In time, the TEC will collapse and the ACNA will be the true Anglican Church in the USA.

[JM Dodge]

I have been an ordained minister of the Christian faith for over 34 years. It stands without argument that the Episcopal Church has taken the fatal step downwards towards Scriptural irrelevance and the disreputable status to that of a common secular cult hiding behind a Christian veneer.
Pastor Reasoner has somewhat all too politely covered these basics; however, the core of this debacle is of much greater import.
God's Holy Word is immutable! End of story! Those who feel that they are, by some convoluted divine contrivance, are authorized by His Holiness to edit His Bible, operate under great delusion and at great peril. God will not plea bargain with any who so willingly profess to be greater of wisdom than He.
Anyone possessing the most minimal of reading comprehensive skill can in no way misconstrue what is written in the Bible. Homosexuality is a sin that shall unquestionably warrant damnation to eternal suffering.
To those who disagree based upon craftily selected passages in the New Testament, Christ in no way contradicted any expression of God's ultimate will...or His Law. This fact is only missed by those who care more for prostituting their authority and position to expand their short lived, feel-good humanist philosophies.
That this excessively vocal minority of deviant sinners can wreck so much havoc into the moral fabric of society proves not so much the power of a Satanic agenda moving throughout the world as much as it exposes the weak fabric and faith of so-called believers and their lack of moral character to 'practice what they preach'.
And it should not prove to be rocket science to the courts and to the churches that the behavioral choice of homosexual sexual gratification is not a civil right equal to being born a certain color. Even a stupid penguin seems to know better.

[Haroldt]

If you don't share a common theology or believe in the same interpretation of the bible how is that discrimination? A church is only a semi-public institution driven by theology, not simply some social club. I don't demand anyone believe in what my religion believes because of theology, but I think the Anglican church has clearly caved into political correctness.
Some religions actually believe there are certain acts that theology and the commandments prohibit. If you prefer to deal with that in anger, that would be YOUR problem.

[John M]

The comments posted by Peter Ballenger, Jeffrey Hepler completely exemplify why so many people today are distrustful of conservative Christians. Unless one fits in their narrow biblical view of what is moral, they are sure to cast the first stones of judgment and oppression. The irony is that their views are so unChristian.

[rick]

possible schism in the Episcopal church? what's in store for this branch of christianity... https://www.mindreign.com/en/mindshare/Religion/Candles-Out-in-the-Episcopal-Church-3f/sl36962305bp346cpp10pn1.html