Presiding officers write Canterbury explaining same-gender unions resolution
Episcopal News Service. July 21, 2009 [072109-02]
Matthew Davies
The two presiding officers of General Convention have again written to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, this time with an explanation of Resolution C056 that calls for the collection and development of theological resources for the blessing of same-gender blessings and allows bishops to provide "a generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this church." The letter was also sent to the Anglican Communion's 38 primates.
"While the resolution honors the diversity of theological perspectives within the Episcopal Church, it does not authorize public liturgical rites for the blessing of same-gender unions," wrote Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson in their July 17 letter to Williams. "The Book of Common Prayer remains unchanged, the marriage rites are unaltered and the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer define marriage as a 'solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God.'"
Resolution C056 was passed on July 17 by the 76th General Convention meeting in Anaheim, California. It acknowledges "changing circumstances" that call for a renewed pastoral response from the church for considering same-gender blessings, including state laws on same-gender marriage, civil-unions and domestic partnerships. The resolution also authorizes the House of Bishops, in conjunction with the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, to devise an open process that will invite churchwide participation in collecting and developing theological resources and liturgies. The commission is to report its efforts to the next General Convention in 2012.
"This resolution is seen as a continuation of the pastoral response and listening process asked for and encouraged by successive General Conventions and Lambeth Conferences," the presiding officers wrote.
"It is now left to each bishop to determine what such a generous pastoral response might mean in her or his diocesan context. This resolution neither forces nor demands any bishop, diocesan convention, congregation or clergy to take any action it considers contrary to its will. The resolution honors and acknowledges this church's continuing commitment to and honoring of theological diversity and the inclusion of a variety of points of view on matters of human sexuality."
Jefferts Schori and Anderson had previously written to Williams on July 16 providing an explanation and clarification of Resolution D025. In addition to underscoring the Episcopal Church's support of and participation in the Anglican Communion, that resolution affirms "that God has called and may call" gay and lesbian people "to any ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church."
In both letters, the presiding officers said, "It is not our desire to give offense. We remain keenly aware of the concerns and sensibilities of our brothers and sisters in other churches across the communion."
Jefferts Schori sent the communion's 38 primates a copy of the letter to Williams about Resolution C056. In her cover letter she offered a clarification about what the resolution "does, and does not, mean."
She highlighted the second page of the letter to Williams "that describes the careful process that resulted in the amendment of this resolution, a process influenced greatly by the Indaba process learned at the 2008 Lambeth Conference."
The final version of the resolution was adopted by the House of Deputies after the bishops had amended the text. The letter to Williams explained that a group of more than 25 bishops "representing diverse and divergent views gathered informally and, using the Indaba process learned at the Lambeth Conference 2008, had thoughtful, loving and candid conversation. The fruit of their conversation and prayer was presented to the House of Bishops in the form of a revision to Resolution C056 which was adopted by both houses thus becoming the action of the General Convention thus speaking definitively for the Episcopal Church."
The presiding officers concluded their letter to Williams saying, "The Episcopal Church treasures our relationships and partnerships as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion, and prays fervently for its life and mission, as we pray for you, brother Rowan, and your ministry as the spiritual leader of the communion."