These are the three resolutions proposed by the Task Force for the
Diocesan Convention to consider. They
are:
RESOLVED, that this 156th Convention of the
Episcopal Diocese of California recommend that the Bishop establish a
Commission on Marriage and Blessing to continue the work of the Bishop’s
Task Force on Marriage and Blessing appointed at the 155th Convention of
the Episcopal Diocese of California, and to present its final report to
the 161st Convention of this Diocese, after which the Commission shall
cease to exist.
Explanation:
In addition to
the issues relating specifically to a rite or rites for blessing
same-gender unions, the Bishop’s Task Force on Marriage and Blessing
(2004/2005) has raised and only begun to work with other issues that
call for further reflection. The task force quickly learned its work was
not only about the wedding/liturgical blessing but about the
marriage/union that follows the ceremony—the couple’s actually living
together in the context of a community of faith, along with catechesis
and formation, nurturing, and mentoring all covenanted, loving,
committed relationships.
We have tabled,
for now, questions about whether clergy should act as agents of the
state. The commission might well consider such concerns in the coming
years.
The five-year
life of the commission is designed to respond to actions at the next two
General Conventions (2006 & 2009). A sunset clause offers hope that the
Commission will respond positively to a time certain deadline, and
continuation of the new Commission after Diocesan Convention in 2010
would require further action by the Bishop, diocesan council, or
diocesan convention.
RESOLVED, that this 156th Convention of
the Episcopal Diocese of California direct the Commission on Marriage
and Blessing to develop, for distribution at the 158th Convention of the
Episcopal Diocese of California, resources relating to the ethics and
pastoral theology of lifelong committed relationships in order to:
-
foster the
discernment and articulation of the ways in which marriages and
same-gender unions manifest and strengthen Christian discipleship by
encouraging a better understanding of the Christian vocation to
lifelong union as grounded in the Baptismal Covenant, and thereby
-
help to offset the
causes and influences that contribute to the fragile state of marriage
and other lifelong unions in our current culture, and
-
help local congregations
understand their proper role in supporting and nurturing such
relationships, and
-
prepare couples seeking
marriage or other rites of blessing, and support them in their
continuing life together.
Explanation:
The clergy are
required to prepare couples when they seek rites of blessing.
Furthermore, couples require support in their continuing life together.
And the faith community must learn its role in nurturing such
relationships.
(The 158th
Convention of the Diocese of California will be in 2007.)
Resolution Three: The Liturgical Covenanting, Blessing, and Sending
Forth of Couples in Committed Same-Sex Relationships
RESOLVED, that this 156th Convention of the
Episcopal Diocese of California, building on the Bishop’s long-standing
practice permitting the blessing of same-gender unions in this Diocese,
direct the Commission on Liturgy and Music and the Commission on
Marriage and Blessing to jointly prepare for consideration by the 158th
Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of California a rite or rites which
formalize the blessing of same-gender unions in the Diocese of
California, together with a policy for the use of said rite or rites.
Explanation:
It is
anticipated that the rite or rites will reflect the context of a couple
and a community of faith, for the liturgical covenanting,
blessing, and sending forth of same-gender couples in 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” [Resolution D039 of the 73rd General Convention], together with a
policy for the use of said rite or rites.
(The 158th
Convention of the Diocese of California will be in 2007.)