Resolution Number: 2009-C056
Title: Develop Liturgies for Blessings Unions and Provide Generous Pastoral Response
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and for an open process for the consideration of theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological and liturgical resources and report to the 77th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in this effort.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), p. 780.

Legislative History

Author: Diocese of Missouri
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music presented its Report #7 on Resolution C056 (Liturgies for Blessings) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C056)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention charge the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music with development of liturgies of blessing for same-gender commitments to be presented to the next triennial General Convention in 2012 for inclusion in Book of Occasional Services; and be it further

Resolved, That in the meantime the Ecclesiastical Authority of each diocese may authorize for use in the diocese liturgies for blessing same-gender committed relationships of enduring love, mutuality and fidelity; and be it further

Resolved, That, with respect to such blessings, no bishop or clergy of this Church or any other person acting on behalf of this Church shall be required or expected to perform an act contrary to a deeply-held position of conscience.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops Theology Committee, collect and develop theological resources and liturgies of blessing for same-gender holy unions, to be presented to the 77th General Convention for formal consideration; and be it further Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops Theology Committee, devise an open process for the conduct of its work in this matter, inviting participation from dioceses, congregations and individuals who are or have already engaged in the study or design of such rites throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That all bishops, noting particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That honoring the theological diversity of this Church, no bishop or other member of the clergy shall be compelled to authorize or officiate at such liturgies; and be it further

Resolved, That the Anglican Consultative Council be invited to conversation regarding this resolution and the work that proceeds from it, together with other churches in the Anglican Communion engaged in similar processes.

The Suffragan Bishop in Charge of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe moved to postpone consideration to a time certain.

Motion defeated

The Bishop Suffragan of Maryland moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the third resolve clause, replace the current text with “Resolved, That in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage or civil unions are legal, the bishop may provide a generous pastoral response to meet the needs of the members of this Church.”

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Suffragan Bishop in charge of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the first resolve clause, delete the words “and develop” and the word “formal.”

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Bishop of Iowa moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the third resolve clause, replace the current text with “Resolved, That clergy, under the direction of their bishop, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church who seek the Church’s support and God’s blessing in their marriages and other committed relationships ‘characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful honesty, communication and the holy love that enables them in such relationships to see in each other the image of God.’”

The Bishop of Western North Carolina moved to postpone debate on the proposed amendment until the House obtained a copy of the proposed amendment.

Motion carried

Debate postponed

The Bishop of Springfield requested a roll call vote at the appropriate time.

The Bishop of Oklahoma moved to postpone debate to a time certain during the afternoon session.

Motion carried

Debate postponed

The Bishop of New York moved to postpone further consideration of Resolution C056 until the Eighth Legislative Day during the afternoon session.

Motion carried

Debate postponed

Debate resumed on Resolution C056.

The Bishop of Iowa withdrew his amendment which was on the floor.

The Presiding Bishop recognized the Bishop of Vermont who explained the work done by a small group of bishops using the Indaba process.

The Presiding Bishop recognized the Bishop Suffragan of Virginia who moved to substitute the resolution.

Proposed Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and for an open process for the consideration of theological resources and liturgies for the blessing of same-gender relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological resources and design liturgies, and report to the 77th General Convention for further action; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention continue to honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in this effort.

The Presiding Bishop suggested 20 minutes of table conversation.

The Bishop of Minnesota moved an amendment to the substitute.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, replace the word “action” with the word “consideration.”

The Bishop Suffragan of Dallas moved to amend the amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, delete the words “for further consideration.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of West Missouri moved an amendment to the substitute.

Proposed Amendment:

In the fifth resolve clause, after the word “sexuality” add the words “and recognizes that no bishop or other member of the clergy shall be compelled to authorize or officiate at such liturgies.”

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Bishop of Ohio moved an amendment to the substitute.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, delete the words “and design liturgies.” After the word “theological,” add the words “and liturgical.”

The Bishop of Eastern Michigan moved to amend the amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, delete the words “and develop.”

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Bishop of Eastern Michigan amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The question was called on the Bishop of Ohio amendment.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Bishop of Ohio amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Utah moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second resolve clause, delete the words “and report to the 77th General Convention” and replace with the words “and report to the House of Bishops.”

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Bishop Theuner moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the fifth resolve clause, delete the words “continue to.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Central Florida moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Delete the sixth resolve clause.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania moved to discharge the resolution.

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the motion to discharge. The results of the vote were: Aye, 43; Nay, 93 and Abstain 1.

Motion defeated

The Bishop of Atlanta moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the first resolve clause, delete the words “and liturgies.” After the word “theological,” insert the words “and liturgical.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on substitute Resolution C056 as amended. The results of the vote were: Aye, 104; Nay, 30 and Abstain 2.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #204)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music presented its Report #13 on Resolution C056 (Liturgies for Blessings) and moved concurrence.

Deputy Fish of Albany on behalf of the Lay and Clergy Deputations of Albany and the Clergy Deputation of Central Florida called for a Vote by Orders on Resolution C056.

The President announced that the time for debate had expired.

The President called on the Chaplain for prayer.

Ballot #8 — Vote By Orders

A Vote By Orders was taken on Resolution C056.

Ballot #8 taken by orders

Results of Ballot #8: Vote By Orders on Resolution C056

The President read the results of Ballot #8.

TypeTotalNecessaryYesNoDividedNo+DivResults
Lay:108557823730Carried
Clergy:108557427734Carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #356)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 17.

Abstract:   The 76th General Convention requests the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to develop resources on blessings of same gender relationships; and authorizes bishops to provide a pastoral response to the relationships of all Church members.
Notes:  

The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music has partnered with the Archives to host the C056 Website, organized to become a permanent digital archive for The Episcopal Church. See http://www.episcopalarchives.org/SCLM/