Congregations Vote to Go Ahead with Same-gender Blessings
Episcopal News Service. October 3, 2000 [2000-149]
Jan Nunley
(ENS) A North Carolina cathedral and a prominent Atlanta parish have publicly decided to offer blessings for committed same-gender couples, despite the refusal of the General Convention in Denver to authorize such rites.
The parish council of the 400-member Cathedral of All Souls in Asheville, North Carolina, announced its decision during Sunday services September 26. According to senior warden Bob Yeager, a handful of worshipers walked out during an early-morning service, but at later gatherings, most of the congregation applauded.
The decision is the culmination of two years of study by the parish an, eadership. Bishop Robert Johnson of the diocese of Western North Carolina said he was positive" of the decision as a response to pastoral needs.
"We are a parish trying to be faithful to our beliefs," the Rev. Todd Donatelli, dean of the cathedral, told the Asheville Citizen-Times. "We see this as a matter justice."
All Souls announced guidelines for the "Blessing of a Covenanted Relationship" which include membership in the parish for one year and demonstrated commitment by the couple.
The 1,100-member Atlanta parish, St. Bartholomew's, has published guidelines that require virtually the same things of same-gender couples that are currently required of opposite-gender couples in the parish seeking to be united in holy matrimony. Couples must undergo three sessions with a pastoral counselor and one with the celebrating priest, who must be satisfied that the relationship is "right-intended" -- that is, grounded in monogamy, fidelity and lifelong commitment. If there has been a significant relationship in the past of either member of the couple, the previous relationship must have been ended for a year before the current relationship can be blessed. The only difference in the requirements is that same-gender couples seeking blessing must be regularly attending members of the parish for at least nine months -- a more rigorous requirement than heterosexual couples must meet.
But within days of the announcement, St. Bartholomew's clergy and wardens were summoned to a two-hour meeting with the diocesan standing committee to discuss the matter. As ENS went to press, no decision had been made. The standing committee, which holds canonical authority in the absence of a bishop, has several options: let the parish's decision stand; issue a "godly admonition" forbidding same-gender blessings; or request to see the planned service and approve or disapprove it. The first same-gender blessing at the parish is planned for late October.
The decision by the Asheville cathedral brought swift condemnation from a conservative organization, the American Anglican Council (AAC). "This deplorable action is further proof that the revisionists are willing and eager to split the Episcopal Church over their pro-homosexual agenda," said Bruce Mason, AAC media officer. "We appeal to Presiding Bishop Griswold to join us in denouncing All Souls decision and to warn other churches not to follow in the Cathedral's footsteps."
July's General Convention was the second consecutive convention to decline to approve a liturgical form for same-gender blessings.