|
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||
|
|
|
By Lucy Chumbley MINNEAPOLIS - The ballroom of the Hyatt Hotel was overflowing Friday night as more than 800 people strained to hear the debate on three resolutions that address the blessing of relationships other than marriage. The Rev. Frank Wade, head of the Diocese of Washington's deputation, presided at the hearing of the Prayerbook, Liturgy and Music Committee, where speakers were given two minutes each to speak to resolutions C005, D022 and C051. Resolution C005, Rites for Blessing and Supporting Committed Relationships, is sponsored by the Diocese of California. Resolution C051, Rites: Blessing of Committed Same-Gender Relationships, is proposed by the Diocese of Michigan. And Resolution D022, Resolution of Rites Supporting Lifelong Relationships, is offered by the Rev. Brian Baker, of the Diocese of Idaho. The hearing began with presentations from the Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, dean of St. Philip's, Atlanta, who spoke in favor of adopting the resolutions, and the Rev. Canon Kendall S. Harmon, of the Diocese of South Carolina, who spoke against. Following the keynote speakers, 48 bishops and deputies came to the microphone. Seven more addressed the same resolutions when the hearing continued on Saturday morning. Despite the widely divergent views expressed, the hearing proceeded with a noticeable lack of acrimony, thanks in part to Wade's plea that people listen respectfully to the testimony of others. "We are here in order to hear," he said. "It is my understanding that hearing only happens when listening happens." Speaking against the resolutions, Bishop Daniel W. Herzog, of Albany, and Bishop William J. Skilton, of South Carolina, said they would be regarded by the rest of the Anglican Communion as a manifestation American imperialism, in the same way that many countries view America's invasion of Iraq. The Rev. Jeff Cerar, of the Diocese of Virginia said the resolutions would damage the rapport he has struggled to build with other denominations. "It is not just the people of Africa who will not understand these resolutions," he said. "Ecumenically, it's going to cause incredible difficulties in our conversations," Bishop Skilton agreed.
Three members of the Diocese of Vermont said that far from tearing their community apart, their state's decision to allow the civil marriage of same-sex partners has served to safeguard and protect its families, and the church blessings would do the same. "The law has not rent the families of our community and the social fabric of it," said Thomas A. Little of Vermont. Bishop Thomas Clark Ely of Vermont said the resolutions are, "both a matter of pastoral urgency and a mission of 20/20." And the Rev. Thomas Brown, also of Vermont, said the resolutions were merely a formal recognition of what is already accepted by the church. Several speakers, including the Rev. Wendy Smith, of the Diocese of El Camino Real, said a theology of inclusion would help the church reach out to the next generation. The resolutions would support the goal of evangelical initiatives like 20/20, she said. The Rev. Brian Baker of Idaho, who proposed Resolution D022, said he saw it as a way to build a more inclusive community. "I want to be part of a community that doesn't spend all its time defining who the enemy is," he said. "Our church has a golden opportunity to be a spiritual
home for all those who hunger for inclusion," said Carolyn Feinglass,
an alternate deputy from the Diocese of Washington. "Look at God's blessing," urged Bishop John B. Chane of Washington, who spoke in favor of the blessings. "It is not something that is given as a trinket. It is given at a great price and with much passion." Some speakers expressed misgivings about the resolutions: Dorsey Henderson, Bishop of Upper South Carolina, said he felt the church had not done its homework. He said he opposed the resolutions now, but asked that the church examine theological and other issues before returning to the debate. Jamie Flowers, of the Diocese of West Virginia, worried that the resolutions "comprise wholesale alterations to the doctrine of the Episcopal Church." And Judy R. Mayo, of the Diocese of Fort Worth, said adopting the resolutions would be like sneaking them in through the back door. Langley Granbury, of the Diocese of Tennessee, expressed concern that the passage of these resolutions would be "trumpeted and taken out of context." Others expressed misgivings about the types of relationships the resolutions would bless: Lydia Evans, of the Diocese of South Carolina, worried that her daughter would be tempted into a blessing that would not give her the same level of protection and commitment as marriage. "Is that what we really want? It's not what I want for my daughter," she said. And the Rev. David H. Roseberry, of Dallas, wondered: "Is there such a thing as a bisexual monogamous relationship? I don't understand." "We are here because we love this church, and we want to be accountable to our communities of faith," said the Rev. Michael Hopkins, of the Diocese of Washington, who is president of Integrity and a member of the Claiming the Blessing Steering Committee. "I beg you, send one of these resolutions to the floor." At the end of the Friday night hearing, Candler and Harmon each summarized the message of the opposing side. Both pointed out the hunger for love and honesty expressed by the speakers. "Maybe we're at a crossroads where suffering and honesty and love come together," Candler said. The committee will continue to address the resolutions during a special Sunday session, Wade said.
Twenty people spoke to the resolution, which states that as there is no consensus on homosexuality, the church should allow a variety of pastoral practices. Most speakers supported the resolution, although some said it did not take a strong enough stand on the issue, either pro or con. ###
|
|
||||||||||||
