wfn.org | Dialogue on same-sex blessings coul

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July 18, 1997
Episcopal News Service
Jim Solheim, Director
212-922-5385
ens@ecunet.org

3-03

Dialogue on same-sex blessings could begin Saturday

By Mary Lee B. Simpson

PHILADELPHIA (July 18, 1997)  Deputies participating in the 72nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church could be debating same-sex blessings as early as Saturday.

Members of the cognate Committees on Social and Urban Affairs Thursday adopted an amended resolution (C002) which "affirms the sacredness of Christian marriage between one man and one woman with the intent of a lifelong relationship" and directs the Standing Liturgical Commission to develop a rite for the blessing of committed relationships between persons of the same sex.

The deputies 42-member Committee on Social and Urban Affairs voted 37-5 in favor of the action; seven bishops present out of nine on their committee all voted in favor.

"This is the most responsible conservative action we can take," said the Rev. Clay Myers, senior deputy from the Diocese of Oregon.

Such a rite, which would go into The Book of Occasional Services, would regularize the blessings being circulated in the church and prevent any continued plagiarizing of the prayer books marriage ceremony, Meyers said.

The affirmation of Christian marriage in the amendment came as a result of comments expressed during Wednesdays two-hour public hearing, which continued Thursday morning.

Nearly 50 speakers on both sides of the issue told the committees their stories and concerns. They spoke with reasonableness, honesty and fervor, and people listened with sensitivity, dignity and patience, observers noted.

Suffragan Bishop Barbara Harris of Massachusetts helped set the tone for the two-hour hearing by laying the ground rules for speaking.

Two minutes is the absolute limit, she quipped, "and we dont care if John the Baptist comes in."

Testimonials came from each end of the spectrum. People listened to others fears about what such action would do to society, the Anglican Communion, the worldwide church and the Christian faith. People heard stories of love and devotion by gay and lesbian couples and stories of Gods healing power from ex-gays in renouncing their lifestyles. 

Diane Knippers, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, said she is fearful of what such action will mean for society. "Were not simply talking about an internal liturgical matter. Were talking about action sending strong and damaging signals to a society that is suffering serious family disintegration," she said. 	Citing statistics and trends showing that marriage and family are in serious trouble today, she added, "The church should be placing its energies into strengthening two-parent families, not experimenting with yet another family style. We are fiddling while Rome burns," Knippers said.

"Lesbian and gay couples are not uncommon. Theyre invisible, and thats dishonest," said Patrick Waddell, alternate deputy from the Diocese of El Camino Real (California), who lives with his life partner of 20 years and stays active in his parish. 

Bishop Keith Ackerman of the Diocese of Quincy (Illinois) said he is distressed because "we often begin to function like a denomination" that acts independently, rather than a worldwide communion. He urged the committees to remember that "what we do and say has profound implications for the church at large."

Karen Vincillente and her partner, Carolyn, from the Diocese of Washington, D.C., had been together 10 years when they felt called to have their relationship celebrated in a public ceremony.

"We wanted our world, our church, our family and professional world to understand how central and important this relationship was to us," she said. Since then shes found that blessing "a strong bulwark" in their relationship.

"Were being asked to revise Christian faith to conform to our experiences that grow out of our fallen human nature," said Roger Boltz, director of the American Anglican Council. "The whole Anglican Communion and church catholic are watching and praying for us. Lets not betray them," he said. 

The Rev. Ed Bacon, deputy from the Diocese of Los Angeles, described his experience and on-going friendship with a couple he blessed 10 years ago. 

"Theres a veritable fountain of gospel energy that flows in the church when gay couples are not closeted," he said. "Homosexuality is a gift to be expressed, not a malady to be healed. Blessings are a blessing." 

 Mary Lee Simpson is communications officer in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia.