From Diana Butler Bass at Beliefnet:
By a 2-1 margin, Episcopalians agreed "that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God." And the Episcopal General Convention equally has come to understand "that God has called and may call such individuals, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church." In plain English, the Episcopal Church has now formally recognized the lived reality of faithful same-sex Christian couples in our community and that the Holy Spirit may call persons in such relationships to Christian ministry--even the ministry of bishop.
This affirmation doesn't demand that anyone do anything or anyone be forced to believe something they find offensive. Indeed, in the resolution, the church stated that Christians are not of a unified mind and that Christians "of good conscience" may disagree in regards to these concerns. But the resolution also does two important things: 1) it recognizes that many, many Episcopalians are perfectly comfortable and open to being part of a diverse spiritual community that includes gay and lesbian brothers and sisters; and 2) that local dioceses may chose their bishops by discerning the best candidate for ministry without restriction placed on sexual identity.
Some may argue that the Episcopal Church has broken faith. No, Episcopalians are struggling to be faithful and to live justly as our society widens its understanding of human relationships and marriage. The attempt to do so is not somehow "secular" or untraditional. Rather, adapting to local cultures is an important part of being Anglican.
Please read the entire essay. To me, it explains in a way that is simple and easy to understand what happened in Anaheim at GC2009 and how Resolutions D025 and C056 may affect the daily lives of Episcopalians.
In my diocese, the Diocese of Louisiana, we are now in the process of choosing a new bishop, because Bishop Charles Jenkins will retire at the end of 2009. I can safely state we will not elect a partnered gay bishop. My prayer and my hope is that we do not elect a bishop who will attempt to take the diocese out of the Episcopal Church into one of the splinter groups. I don't believe that is likely to happen, either.
As to the blessing of gay and lesbian unions and the ordination of partnered gay and lesbian priests and deacons, I can't speak for the next bishop, but I don't foresee that happening soon in my diocese. In the near future, nothing is likely to change here.
Thanks to KJ in the comments for the link to the excellent essay.
My robroy is busy these days! He (I'll bet money he's a he) is all over the comments sections in a lot of the blogs. He needs to get his own blog (like the rest of us), or better yet, a hobby.
ReplyDeleteMaybe his is a paying job that pays by the word or perhaps by the total number of blogs he visits. He is everywhere but with thee and me, I'm happy to say. Sometimes it's good to be amongst the little people.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to the shellfish and mixed fabric argument that Robroy denigrates in the comments to DBB's essay, my friend Tobias Haller, who knows everything about theology and the Bible, says it's not a good argument, but I still use it, and sometimes it even works to make people think.
ReplyDeleteBut this is a start. Our diocese is an integrated one filled with many gays and lesbian members. One of our local religion columnist said in my opinion said it best,
ReplyDelete"We spend so much energy arguing about sexuality," said the Rev. Michael Fedewa of St. Andrew's Episcopal in Grand Rapids. "It's time to put it behind us as best we can and move on to other things."
Other troubled denominations would do well to follow suit. Nobody wants to join a church that's always fighting about sex.
Ciss, I believe that the two houses did the right thing. I'm sorry that my diocese is not further along, but the day will come.
ReplyDeleteFr. Fedewa is right. Maybe we can stop talking sex, sex, sex all the time.
Dear Grandmère,
ReplyDeleteIt is a good essay.
And don't be discouraged, perhaps Louisiana will call a partnered gay person. Remember... glass half full... glass half full...
Rick, Louisiana will not call a partnered gay bishop this time, nor any time soon. That's far down the road. The glass is empty, luv.
ReplyDeleteThe glass will always be at least half full as long as you Grandmère, the Rose of Southern Louisiana, are there.
ReplyDeleteRick, flattery will get you everywhere.
ReplyDeleteMy mama raised me right.
ReplyDelete