wfn.org | Episcopalians: Kansas blessings policy upheld by narrow margin

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

October 23, 2002

2002-243

Episcopalians: Kansas blessings policy upheld by narrow 
margin

by Melodie Woerman

(ENS) The 143rd convention of the Diocese of Kansas narrowly 
defeated a resolution opposing Bishop William Smalley's policy 
of blessings for couples outside of marriage in a vote that was 
characterized by people on both sides of the issue as 
"prayerful" and "grace-filled."

The convention took place October 18-19 in Overland Park, 
Kansas.

The resolution, which had been proposed by 12 priests and two 
deacons, urged Smalley to reconsider his policy and would have 
put the diocese on record as saying the policy "does not reflect 
the mind of the diocese."

The vote was taken by orders, a procedure that in the Diocese of 
Kansas usually is used for votes on major issues, most recently 
in 1999 regarding apportionment rates.

The vote was: clergy in favor of the resolution, 31; clergy 
against, 38; clergy abstaining, 7; lay people in favor of the 
resolution, 60; lay people against, 52; lay people abstaining, 
12. A majority of votes cast in both orders was required for the 
resolution to be adopted.

Jean Crutchfield, president of the diocesan standing committee, 
presided over the debate and vote. Smalley relinquished the 
chair, saying he did not think it was appropriate for him to 
preside over this matter.

Discussion of the resolution ran almost an hour, with speakers 
in support of and opposed to the resolution alternating their 
remarks. More than a dozen speakers lined up at the two 
microphones, almost all of them priests, to make their views 
known.

Those in support of the resolution said they objected to the 
process Smalley used to issue his policy, which permits parishes 
to decide if they wish to bless the relationships of non-married 
persons in liturgies that may not resemble marriage. Several 
speakers said the bishop should not have acted unilaterally but 
rather should have waited for the church as a whole to move 
together on this issue. 

Other speakers challenged the diocese to act prophetically on 
the issue of how the church treats homosexuals.

During debate another priest had indicated he felt torn by the 
resolution and could see merit in both sides, resulting in his 
decision to abstain. He asked Crutchfield to call for 
abstentions as well as ayes and nays once voting began.

In remarks made earlier to the convention, Smalley had called on 
those present to pause for prayer whenever anyone felt it was 
needed, needing only to say, "Point of order, we need to pray." 

Delegates called for times of prayer throughout the 
deliberations of convention, including before the vote on this 
resolution. As delegates prayed silently, one person rose to 
offer the prayer for the unity of the church from the Prayer 
Book.

After the convention had concluded, Smalley noted that the 
debate had been cordial and "showed the collegiality we enjoy in 
this diocese." He said, "We do differ from one another but can 
deal with our differences with respect and cordiality. The 
entire discussion was wrapped in prayer."

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-- Melodie Woerman is editor of Plenteous Harvest, the newspaper 
of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas.