Oh my. Let’s see what we can find in a brief look around.
Bishop Larry Maze, Diocese of Arkansas
It is my belief that seeking ways of recognizing and blessing faithful monogamous, same-sex relationships falls within the parameters of providing pastoral care and concern for our gay and lesbian members.
The first blessing of a same-sex union in the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas took place September 16 at St. Michael’s, Little Rock.
Bishop Marc Andrus, Diocese of California
The blessings of same sex couples in our churches are celebrations of Christian love and vocation, and deserve the same expressions of joy and excitement that others enjoy. So, for example, it is entirely appropriate that invitations be sent and newspaper announcements be made.
The controversial head of the Diocese of Connecticut has enflamed the divisions within the Anglican Communion this week, after he announced that Episcopal Church priests in the diocese may give pastoral blessings to same-sex unions in church ceremonies. The announcement has been even more controversial as it reverses a long-standing policy in the diocese, and is sure to anger conservative Christian groups.
The leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, Bishop Andrew D. Smith, has authorized priests to give blessings to same-sex unions during religious ceremonies. The move threatens to further alienate the conservative wing of his church and deepen a fissure between progressive and orthodox Episcopalians nationwide.
In the Diocese of Delaware last year, Bishop Wayne Wright approved same-sex rites of blessing after six years of committee study and debate, writing in a letter to diocesan priests that it “represents growth for our church,” and is “an opportunity to reach the broader community.”
“THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:That the 33rd Annual Convention
of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, desiring to support relationships of mutuality and fidelity which mediate the grace of God between those persons for whom the celebration and blessing of a marriage is not available, does hereby recognize that ceremonies to celebrate
the relationships of such persons who are baptized members in good standing in this diocese may be conducted by clergy in the diocese, with the approval of the bishop, respecting their pastoral discretion.
I myself have blessed same-sex unions where I felt such blessing was an appropriate expression of God’s love and support for God’s children. I have also given pastoral support to clergy contemplating such actions. Together with other clergy and lay people, I have been involved in developing proposed ceremonies for such blessings for submission to the Standing Liturgical Commission. In the meantime, the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER states that “...for other special occasions for which no service or prayer has been provided in this Book, the bishop may set forth such forms as are fitting to the occasion” (p.13)
Diocese of North Carolina
Bishop Michael Curry
From my perspective as Bishop, the blessing of the committed life long unions of persons of the same gender is one way our community can live the Gospel through faithful and loving pastoral care and spiritual support for each other.
Rickel says he is comfortable continuing Bishop Warner’s stance of letting individual priests decide whether to perform blessing ceremonies for same-sex unions.
Diocese of Vermont, Bishop Thomas Ely
Policy: The Diocese has a policy governing Holy Matrimony that outlines requirements couples and clergy must meet in order for a marriage service to take place in the church. The Task Force recommends that congregations and clergy be allowed to continue offering services of blessing for civil unions and that a new unified policy, to take effect on July 1, 2004, govern both Holy Matrimony (the solemnization of a civil marriage) and Holy Union (the blessing of a civil union). The terms Holy Matrimony and Holy Union are intended to emphasize the covenantal aspect of sacred trust and commitment witnessed through the liturgy of the church.
Episcopalians in Vermont, in a “pastoral response” to the nation’s first and only civil unions law, have unveiled liturgical rites that gay couples can use in the state’s 48 Episcopal churches. The worship guidelines, which look and sound like liturgies used for heterosexual weddings, are believed to be the first anywhere in the Anglican Communion that convey church blessings on gay civil partnerships. The services are contained in a 36-page manual that was distributed to clergy, last month. A committee began drafting the rites in October, and they are expected to become of official in 2006.
Diocese of Washington
Bishop Chane
But even though they weren’t specifically endorsed by the Convention, Reverend Susan Blue of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Dupont Circle performs the ceremonies anyway. “The Episcopal Church has a wide spectrum of views, ” says Blue, “from very conservative to very liberal. Do most places do [same-sex ceremonies]? Absolutely not. If the Bishop said to me, ‘You may not do them,’ I wouldn’t do them. ” But because the Bishop of the Washington diocese, John Chane, has never discouraged them, Reverend Blue has been free to perform commitment ceremonies at St. Margaret’s for the past five years with a clear conscience. Chane, who became Bishop in June of last summer, has been loud and clear in his stance of support for the gay community. In his first sermon as Bishop, he repeatedly emphasized the notion of “all God’s children. ”
The Episcopal bishop of Washington, Bishop John B. Chane, is developing rites for same-sex marriages for the 94 churches in his diocese. Liturgical rites have been in use for some time in the diocese, but Bishop Chane wants a rite that can be uniformly used. Couples can choose between contemporary, classic, gay pride and traditional designs for same sex wedding rings to exchange as part of their Anglican wedding ceremony.
Duke University
The committee, chaired by Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, Episcopal chaplain at Duke, met seven times and reported to Keohane and Willimon: “The committee, after much deliberation, advises the president and dean to permit such ceremonies between same-sex couples, consistent with current chapel policy.”
San Francisco
Rev. Kevin Pearson, Rector
Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist
1661 Fifteenth St., San Francisco, CA 94103-3511
St. John’s is an inclusive Anglo-Catholic parish that performs same-sex covenant ceremonies for members of the parish.
Of course, we can’t forget the time when all the participants were Episcopal Priests.
And just in case you think this was an exhaustive search the Integrity website assures us it is not.
A number of other bishops either explicitly or implicitly allow the clergy of their diocese to bless same-sex unions, but do not have official, written policies. Contact your local Integrity chapter or diocesan network for referrals.
Of course, there is the Diocese of Los Angeles where Bishop Bruno is busy spinning the spin. You can read it all here and here and here and here and here and here and here.
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/6295/
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/6294/
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/6242/
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/6283/
4 Comments •
“And the hits just keep on coming…”
Suggestion for music link for this thread- Chicago’s “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”