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General Convention 2009 Features, News, and Twitter Coverage
Survey: Majority of American Clergy Support Gay and Lesbian Equality
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Tags: same sex blessings, d056
Channel: Religion Dispatches Author: Robert P. Jones and Daniel Cox
Last week, the Episcopal Church considered two prominent measures regarding gay and lesbian couples and clergy at its General Convention. The church lifted a de facto moratorium on ordaining gay and lesbian bishops, and voted to give bishops wide latitude with regard to local clergy blessing same-sex unions, particularly in states where same-sex marriage is legal, authorizing them to provide a “generous pastoral response” to gay and lesbian couples."
These measures were largely responses to rapidly changing public opinion and shifts in the political landscape on gay and lesbian issues. For example, when the Episcopal Church General Convention last met in 2006, same-sex marriages were legal in only one state, Massachusetts; just three short years later, same-sex marriages are legal in six states, each with sizable Episcopal populations.
Despite explicit affirmations expressing the desire to stay in “deep communion” with the wider Anglican Church,… Read full post >> Go to the originating news channel for this excerpt to read the full article >>
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Bishop Little: Reflecting on General Convention 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:39 am
Tags: general convention
Bp. Ed Little (Northern Indiana) is a Covenant Patron Bishop
In my first report, written just before the opening gavel, I predicted that human sexuality would dominate General Convention’s deliberations. That turned out to be the case. Two questions were particularly pressing: Should we in some fashion overturn a resolution from the last Convention (B033) which asked for restraint in ordaining persons as bishops whose manner of life would pose a challenge to the unity of the Anglican Communion? And should we authorize liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions? These questions did not exist in isolation. The Anglican Communion itself - through the four Instruments of Communion (the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Lambeth Conference; the Anglican Consultative Council; and the Primates’ Meeting) - has asked the Episcopal Church to effect a moratorium in these areas until a new Anglican consensus emerges.
The…
In my first report, written just before the opening gavel, I predicted that human sexuality would dominate General Convention’s deliberations. That turned out to be the case. Two questions were particularly pressing: Should we in some fashion overturn a resolution from the last Convention (B033) which asked for restraint in ordaining persons as bishops whose manner of life would pose a challenge to the unity of the Anglican Communion? And should we authorize liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions? These questions did not exist in isolation. The Anglican Communion itself - through the four Instruments of Communion (the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Lambeth Conference; the Anglican Consultative Council; and the Primates’ Meeting) - has asked the Episcopal Church to effect a moratorium in these areas until a new Anglican consensus emerges.
The…
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Bishop Stanton: Reflecting on General Convention 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 11:29 am
Tags: general convention
Bp. James Stanton (Diocese of Dallas) is a Covenant Patron Bishop.
I write to you in response to the actions of the recent General Convention of The Episcopal Church meeting in Anaheim, California. Some in the diocese will be pleased with much that happened, while others will view with alarm some of the resolutions passed.
I feel compelled to speak a word to the Diocese of Dallas concerning three actions in particular. The first two gathered the most press attention and later comment. Members of our Diocese as well as Anglicans throughout the Communion are particularly concerned about these actions, which took the form of resolutions.
The Communion at large has been looking for a clear word from The Episcopal Church as to whether we will continue to honor the moratoria on developing rites for the blessing of same sex unions…
I write to you in response to the actions of the recent General Convention of The Episcopal Church meeting in Anaheim, California. Some in the diocese will be pleased with much that happened, while others will view with alarm some of the resolutions passed.
I feel compelled to speak a word to the Diocese of Dallas concerning three actions in particular. The first two gathered the most press attention and later comment. Members of our Diocese as well as Anglicans throughout the Communion are particularly concerned about these actions, which took the form of resolutions.
The Communion at large has been looking for a clear word from The Episcopal Church as to whether we will continue to honor the moratoria on developing rites for the blessing of same sex unions…
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