CONNECTICUT: Convention calls for allowing clergy to perform same-gender marriages, hears bishop announce retirement date
Episcopal News Service. October 28, 2008 [102808-03]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
The 224th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut passed a resolution October 25 "imploring" Bishop Andrew Smith to allow clergy "to exercise pastoral care in officiating at services of holy matrimony for same-sex couples."
The resolution, which passed 174-123, came two weeks after Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled that state laws allowing only heterosexual couples to marry but giving all the rights and privileges of marriage to same-sex couples violated the constitutional guarantees of equal protection under the law. The court said that such laws single out "a group that historically has been the object of scorn, intolerance, ridicule or worse." The ruling takes effect October 28.
The text of the resolution "implores the bishop to allow priests in this diocese to exercise pastoral wisdom and care and follow the lead of their consciences in whether or not to participate in marriage ceremonies of same-sex couples."
In his annual address the day before the resolution passed, Smith said that he and bishops suffragan Laura Ahrens and James Curry were "looking at three areas of complex questions [that arise] from the court's ruling: Are priests ordained in the Episcopal Church permitted to officiate at civil marriages of gay and lesbian couples? What standards of commitment should we have for ordained deacons and priests (or bishops) who are in same-sex relationships? In all things, how can we be the face of Christ, to invite, welcome and pastorally care for seekers and believers who are gay and lesbian, including those who seek to be married? "
He said the bishops would talk to other bishops, to the diocesan Standing Committee, and to laity and clergy "whose lives are directly affected by the court's decision." They have asked the diocese's chancellors to research civil and canonical questions. Smith added that in addition to all of the above, it was "also necessary to remember that we are a member diocese of the Anglican Communion." In the meantime, he said, policies announced in 2006 for civil unions prohibiting clergy to officiate at civil unions will be extended to cover same-sex marriage.
After the resolution passed, Smith thanked the convention for the debate, but noted that "there are guidelines in place and I do believe that all of us who are ordained are under canonical authority and I want to reiterate that at this time, and ask, as I did in the matter of civil unions, that the ordained priests and bishops of the church follow that regulation, that I believe that we in fact have, from our Prayer Book, which is a product of the constitution of the Episcopal Church."
"There may be a time -- there should be a time -- when that Prayer Book rubric and the canons should be changed," Smith continued. For now, in a hierarchical church, today, we are under that authority. I understand absolutely, I believe, what is embodied in the resolution. And I have to ask patience, time, for us to consider and to move ahead."
More background about the resolution and Smith's stance is available here.
During his address, Smith also announced that he has decided to retire in 2010. He called for the election of Connecticut's 15th diocesan bishop at the 2009 convention. The Standing Committee has begun the search process and will be requesting nominations from deaneries for both search committee and transition committee members, according to a diocesan news release.