wfn.org | Atlanta congregation blocked from same-gender blessings

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2000-166
http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/ens

Atlanta congregation blocked from same-gender blessings

by Jan Nunley

      (ENS) A prominent Atlanta parish has been denied permission by the 
diocesan Standing Committee to offer blessings for committed same-gender 
couples.

      The Rev. Marion Kanour, priest-in-charge at the 1,100-member St. 
Bartholomew's, received a letter dated October 10 which stated that, despite 
what were described as "giant strides" made at the Episcopal Church's General 
Convention in Denver, the convention "did not give us the freedom to develop 
liturgies or have blessings of same-sex unions." 

     Resolution D039, passed in Denver, acknowledges that there are "couples in 
the Body of Christ and in this Church" who are living in life-long, non-marital 
relationships. It stresses that the church expects such relationships to be 
"characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, 
honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships 
to see in each other the image of God." An eighth resolve that would have called for 
the preparation of rites for same-gender blessings was dropped from the 
resolution.

     "The Standing Committee will not change the established policies of the Diocese 
of Atlanta now or at any time during this interim period," the letter to Kanour stated. 
"…We cannot encourage priests and parishes to take initiative in this area. We 
believe that unilateral action such as this will seriously damage or even destroy the 
possibility of such development in the future.

     "You are directed by the Standing Committee, acting as the ecclesiastical 
authority of the Diocese and in consultation with Assisting Bishop Robert G. Tharp, 
to cancel the proposed celebration and further to refrain from the public blessing 
of same-sex unions. This is a pastoral directive. You acknowledged in our meeting 
that you would follow our directive. We sincerely believe that you will."

Deeply disappointed

     "I am deeply disappointed by the decision of the Standing Committee," 
Kanour responded in an email to questions from ENS. "I differ with their 
interpretation of D039. While the eighth resolve was defeated, I believe the seven
 resolves which passed state the support of the church for committed relationships 
outside of marriage and state the values to which the church will hold all committed 
relationships accountable. The sixth resolve states that the church is aware priests 
will move ahead of the church to bless unions outside of marriage.

     "Some conservative interpreters of D039 see that this opens the door for 
such blessings…and are using this as a reason for withdrawing from [the 
Episcopal Church] and aligning with [the Anglican Mission in America]. I 
interpret D039 the same way as the withdrawing congregations interpret it. I 
regret that the Standing Committee differs in its interpretation." 

     Kanour, herself a lesbian in what she describes as "a long-term, committed, 
monogamous relationship," says that the parish's decision was not made lightly. 
"St. Bartholomew's has been through an extensive discernment process, involving 
our congregation, our vestry and our clergy before deciding to bless a same-
sex union." The parish published guidelines for same-gender blessings that 
paralleled those for holy matrimony, including three sessions with a pastoral 
counselor and one with the celebrating priest. Same-gender couples were to attend 
services as members of the parish for at least nine months, a requirement not asked
 of opposite-gender couples. 

     Within days of the announcement, the leadership of St. Bartholomew's was 
called to meet with the diocesan Standing Committee. 

     The Standing Committee, which holds canonical authority in the absence of a 
bishop, had the option to let the parish's decision stand, to issue a "godly 
admonition" forbidding the blessings, or to rule only on a planned service, which had 
been scheduled for late October. 

     But the Standing Committee seemed to hold the door open to further 
developments--as soon as Atlanta has a new bishop. "Your witness to the movement 
of the Holy Spirit at St. Bartholomew's and your desire to minister justly, with 
equality, to all persons in the community are compelling," the letter said. "We 
acknowledge that we are all being led to new understandings of our common 
humanity. We acknowledge your deep concern for justice and equality. We 
appreciate your desire to move forward. But those of us in Holy Orders are called to 
abide in those orders so that the whole Church may, in the fullness of time, find 
answers to our longings."

     "We feel called to this pastoral action," said Kanour. "I pray that next 
bishop of Atlanta will authorize what the Standing Committee cannot bring itself 
to allow."

--The Rev. Jan Nunley is deputy director of the Episcopal Church's Office of News 
and Information.