October 20, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO - - - Elected representatives of the Episcopal Diocese of California today approved use of rites for the blessing of same gender couples by an overwhelming margin. The action opens the way for Diocesan Bishop Marc Andrus to allow these services to be used on a trial basis by Episcopal churches across the Bay Area.
Clergy and lay delegates also approved by a broad majority a resolution countering recent opinions voiced by the Episcopal House of Bishops in New Orleans. Drafted by the Rev. John Kirkley, the resolution both affirmed "the unanimous decision of the (Diocesan) Standing Committee to refuse to discriminate against partnered gay and lesbian bishops-elect" and deplored "the lack of access to adequate pastoral and ritual care for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in large parts of the Episcopal Church and the refusal of the majority of our bishops to make provision for it.
"Today we took two important steps toward full inclusion of LGBT people and their families into the Episcopal Church," Oasis California President Thomas C. Jackson said. Oasis is the LGBT ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of California. "With broad support from our straight allies, we placed LGBT couples on an equal footing with heterosexual couples when they ask the church to bless their relationship. Our elected representatives also made clear our collective commitment to including LGBT people as full members of the Episcopal Church."
Approved by a lopsided voice vote in the Diocesans annual convention at Grace Cathedral, the action asks Bishop Andrus to approve rites for blessing same gender couples on a trial basis. "Trial use of a new liturgy is a standard step in development of new liturgical rites by the Episcopal Church," Jackson added. "This is another step toward LGBT equality on the road to the church's national 2009 General Convention in Anaheim, CA."
In his address to the 158th Convention of our Diocese, Bishop Andrus welcomed the resolution. I will continue to represent the Diocese in the ongoing Church and Communion-wide conversations on the full inclusion of LGBT people, and in the global flourishing promoted by the MGDs," Bishop Marc told the Convention. "In this connection, let me say that I welcome the resolution on marriage and blessing being offered at this Convention," our Bishop continued.
"I think the resolution properly augments my pastoral goal of caring alike for all of the people of the diocese, not reinforcing damaging distinctions," Bishop Marc continued. "I also think, at the same time, that the resolution writers have honored the spirit of the Windsor Report and subsequent requests from the Primates of the Communion not to develop 'public rites,'" he said.
Developed by the Diocesan Commission on Marriage & Blessing, the convention endorsed three alternative rites for blessing same gender couples, along with Biblical texts for use with these rites. One rite is based on the marriage liturgy from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer and another on one in the New Zealand Prayer Book while a third reflects "A Rite for the Celebration of Gay and Lesbian Covenants" from Canada's Diocese of New Westminster. "We especially appreciate the work of this Commission and its co-chairs, the Rev. Joseph Lane and the Rev. Lynette Morlan," Jackson added.
The San Francisco vote marks the third time in recent weeks an Anglican diocese has moved to establish rites for blessing same gender couples. Earlier this fall, synods of the Anglican Church serving Ottawa and Montreal in Canada also called on their bishops to approved rites for blessing same gender couples.
Links used in this release:
The URL for this story is:
http://www.oasiscalifornia.org/Oasis_Convention_Report.pdf
Maintainer: Ted McMichael
Send Comments or Questions to:
Administrator.ChurchOfTheWord@verizon.net