Diocese: California
DateOfConvention: October 19-20, 2007
Status: Passed without amendment or substitute
Date: 2007-11-10
Time: 16:25:28 -0800
Liturgical Covenanting, Blessing, and Sending Forth of Couples in Committed Same-Gender Relationships
Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of California commends to the Bishop of California the lectionary, rubric entitled “Concerning the Service,” and three rites endorsed by the Commission on Marriage and Blessing, and urges the Bishop to approve the trial use of these forms as resources in the Diocese of California for formalizing the blessing of same-gender unions.
Diocese: California
DateOfConvention: October 19-20, 2007
Status: Passed without amendment or substitute
Date: 2007-11-10
Time: 16:26:17 -0800
Response to the House of Bishops’ Statement
Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California considers the statement made by the House of Bishops at their September 2007 New Orleans meeting to be non-binding on The Episcopal Church unless adopted by General Convention;
Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California affirms the unanimous decision of the Standing Committee to refuse to discriminate against partnered gay and lesbian bishops-elect in the consent process as called for in General Convention 2006 resolution B033;
Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California deplores the lack of access to adequate pastoral care and liturgical rites for the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in most dioceses of The Episcopal Church, and the refusal of the majority of our bishops to make provision for it, and calls upon the House of Bishops to publish guidelines for such care;
Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California commends the House of Bishops for its call to increase implementation of the Communion-wide listening process as a real process of engagement, and calls upon the Presiding Bishop and her staff to develop such a process within the Episcopal Church, recognizing that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people continue to be marginalized in many parts of our Church;
Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California commends the House of Bishops for its call for the full participation of the Bishop of New Hampshire in the 2008 Lambeth Conference, and acknowledges the basic contradiction between support for Bishop Robinson and the implementation of B033; and
Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California commends the House of Bishops for its support for the civil rights, safety, and dignity of gay and lesbian persons, and calls upon the General Convention to work to resolve speedily and justly the basic contradiction between such support in civil society and the absence of such support within the Church’s own pastoral and sacramental life.
Diocese: Rochester
DateOfConvention: November 2-3, 2007
Status: Passed without amendment or substitute
Date: 2007-11-10
Time: 16:32:44 -0800
A Resolution Concerning Consents to Episcopal Elections
Proposer: Committee for Gay and Lesbian Ministry
Resolved, that this 76th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester submits the following resolution to the 76th General Convention…
Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, that this 76th General Convention affirms that standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction are not bound by any extra-canonical restraints—including but not limited to the restraints set forth in Resolution B033 passed by the 75th General Convention—when considering consents to the ordination of any candidate to the episcopate.
EXPLANATION As a result of the Windsor Report, the 75th General Convention was under extraordinary pressure to enact a moratorium on the election, consent, and consecration of further gay or lesbian bishops. The House of Deputies rejected such a resolution (A161) on June 20, 2006. However, the very next day, the former Presiding Bishop used highly unusual parliamentary tactics to force a vote on Resolution B033—which called upon "Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion." To everyone present, it was clear that "manner of life" was code for "gay and lesbian persons with same-sex domestic partners." The new Presiding Bishop expressed her reluctant support for the resolution, as did a few gay and lesbian deputies. The resolution was passed by both houses with great emotion. In the days following General Convention, chancellors began pointing out that B033 is a violation of the ecclesiastical laws that govern the Episcopal Church. The Canons of General Convention (Title III, Canon 1, Section 2) prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation: "No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons." The canons do not prohibit gay and lesbian persons who are in same-sex, domestic partnerships from being elected, consented, and consecrated to the episcopate. Every decision involves "cost" and "promise." The passage of this resolution has achieved its intended cost—to date no additional gay or lesbian persons have been elected to the episcopate. Indeed, many qualified gay and lesbian persons are declining to run in episocopal elections for fear that, if elected, they would not receive sufficient consents. In contrast, this resolution has not achieved its intended promise—the Anglican Communion continues it slow slide toward schism. It is past time to reverse the unjust and discriminatory effect of B033 by enacting this resolution.
Diocese: Oregon
DateOfConvention: November 9, 2007
Status: Passed with amendment or substitute
Date: 2007-11-10
Time: 16:37:23 -0800
Resolved, That the 119th Diocesan Convention considers the statement made by the House of Bishops at their September 2007 New Orleans meeting to be non-binding on the diocese of Oregon and on the Episcopal Church unless adopted by General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the 119th Diocesan Convention deplores the lack of access to adequate pastoral care and liturgical rites for the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in The Episcopal Church and calls upon the House of Bishops to publish guidelines for such care; and be it further
Resolved, That the 119th Diocesan Convention recognizes Integrity, Inc., and it’s local presence, Integrity/Portland as an official diocesan program, and calls upon the Diocese of Oregon and Integrity to build a positive working relationship to meet the pastoral needs of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender persons in the diocese of Oregon; and be it further
Resolved, That the 119th Diocesan Convention commends the House of Bishops for its call to increase implementation of the Communion-wide listening process as a process of real engagement, and calls upon the Presiding Bishop and her staff to further develop this process within the Episcopal Church, recognizing that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people continue to be marginalized in many parts of our Church; and be it further
Resolved, That the 119th Diocesan Convention commends the House of Bishops for its call for the full participation of the Bishop of New Hampshire in the 2008 Lambeth Conference, and acknowledges the basic contradiction between support for Bishop Robinson and the implementation of B033; and be it further
Resolved, That the 119th Diocesan Convention commends the House of Bishops for its support for the civil rights, safety, and dignity of gay and lesbian persons, and calls upon the General Convention to work to resolve speedily and justly the basic contradiction between such support in civil society and the absence of such support within the Church’s own pastoral and sacramental life.
Summary: This resolution commits the convention to reaffirm our polity that this Diocese need not be held bound by the statement made at the September 2007 House of Bishops meeting unless approved by General Convention, and seeks to commend the tasks undertaken and the work put forth by the House of Bishops and calls upon the Presiding bishop to further develop the listening process to ensure that all voices are heard at the table and that The Episcopal Church will not turn back the strides it has made with regards to human sexuality and it’s relationship to scripture and the common life of the Church. This resolution also recognizes Integrity Inc. as a local Diocesan program which seeks a positive relationship with the Diocese to work together to meet the pastoral needs of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender persons.
Financial Impact: There is no additional financial support needed for this resolution. This resolution merely reiterates the strong and urgent need for pastoral care for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people. Parishes should be including these persons in their daily life and work without the need for additional funding.
Diocese: Oregon
DateOfConvention: November 10, 2007
Status: Passed without amendment or substitute
Date: 2007-11-10
Time: 16:38:02 -0800
Resolution to the 2007 Convention of the Diocese of Chicago
WHEREAS our Lord “is not one to show partiality” (Acts 10:34-35) and calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19);
WHEREAS our baptismal covenant call us to “respect the dignity of every human being;” WHEREAS undue discrimination limits the ability of the faithful to elect qualified persons to leadership, including the position of bishop;
WHEREAS Title III, Canon 1, Section 2 of the Canons of The Episcopal Church clearly states that “No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age;”
WHEREAS Resolution B033, if interpreted to mean that a person living in a same-sex partnership should be excluded from consecration, stands in conflict with Title III, Canon 1, Section 2 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Diocese of Chicago calls upon the 76th General Convention to abide by the canons of The Episcopal Church; to respect the responsibility of each diocese to prayerfully discern the will of God in calling leaders; to refrain from restricting the potential field of candidates on the basis of sex and sexual orientation; and thus to repeal Resolution B033.
Diocese: Northern California
DateOfConvention: November 10 & 11, 2007
Status: Passed without amendment or substitute
Date: 2007-11-12
Time: 06:52:14 -0800
Resolution # R5-07
RESOLUTION
THE DIOCESE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
DIOCESAN CONVENTION
NOVEMBER 10 & 11, 2007
TITLE: Supporting Same-Gender Relationships of Mutuality and Fidelity
PROPOSED BY: Steve Skiffington INTEGRITY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVE: Steve Skiffington 1919 4th Street Sacramento, California 95811 916-442-5690
REPRESENTATIVE AT CONVENTION: The Rev. James Richardson DATE: Aug. 10, 2007
RESOLVED: That this 97th Convention of the Diocese of Northern California, desiring to support our sisters and brothers in Christ who are in same-gender relationships of mutuality and fidelity, and desiring to provide clergy with appropriate pastoral tools for ministering to persons in same-gender relationships, calls upon General Convention of the Episcopal Church to develop and authorize same-sex union blessing rites.
EXPLANATION OF RESOLUTION: Blessings are the province of the church as a communal recognition of God's love for his children. This proposal is to bring to reality the blessings of the church to couples in same-sex committed relationships. The Episcopal Church, along with many other main-line churches in the United States, has already developed proposals to recognize LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) people as full members of the church. However those proposals are just that, proposals. This resolution will move 'proposals' into reality.
As of this writing, eleven dioceses have already
approved official,
written policies allowing the blessing of
same-sex relationships:
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware (Bishop Wright's office will only
provide a copy to other bishops)
• Long Island
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
Many
Northern California Episcopalians, including the proposers of these resolutions, know gay and lesbian Christians in the Church who are living in same-gender relationships of mutuality and fidelity, many of which have been in relationship well over twenty years. We experience these persons to be leading lives of Christian discipleship and servanthood and discern that their relationships evidence the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
By the passing of this resolution, we call upon the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California to state that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people are children of God and that The Episcopal Church should grant them every blessing The Church confers upon other members.
FISCAL IMPACT OF RESOLUTION: None
http://www.dncweb.org/convention/R5-07.pdf
Diocese: Chicago
DateOfConvention: November 9-10
Status: Passed without amendment or substitute
Date: 2007-11-19
Time: 19:42:18 -0800
RESOLUTION C-170
Subject: Repeal of General Convention Resolution B033 Sponsor: Rector, Wardens and Vestry of All Saints Church, Chicago Michelle Mayes, All Saints Church, Chicago Additional sponsors listed after explanation
ACTION: ADOPTED
Whereas, our Lord “is not one to show partiality” (Acts 10:34-35) and calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28: 19); and Whereas, our baptismal covenant calls us to “respect the dignity of every human being,” and
Whereas, undue discrimination limits the ability of the faithful to elect qualified persons to leadership, including the position of bishop;
Whereas, Title III, Canon 1, Section 2 of the Canons of The Episcopal Church clearly states that, “No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age;” and
Whereas, Resolution B033 of the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church (2006), if interpreted to mean that a person living in a same-sex partnership should be excluded from consecration, stands in conflict with Title III, Canon 1, Section 2 of the canons of The Episcopal Church;
Now Therefore, be it Resolved, that the Diocese of Chicago, acting at its 170th Diocesan Convention, calls upon the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church to abide by the canons of The Episcopal Church; to respect the responsibility of each diocese to discern prayerfully the will of God in calling leaders; to refrain from restricting the potential field of candidates on the basis of sex and sexual orientation; and thus to repeal Resolution B033.
Commentary: The afternoon’s longest debated occurred with Resolution C-170 which called for a repeal of General Convention resolution B033. On a rising vote after a 35 minute debate, delegates and clergy adopted the repeal measure by a three to one margin.
Additional sponsors also included St. Nicholas, Elk Grove Village
Diocese: North Carolina
DateOfConvention: January 18-19, 2008
Status: Passed with amendment or substitute
Date: 2008-01-19
Time: 13:53:12 -0800
ON THE INCLUSION OF ALL PERSONS REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AS FULL AND EQUAL PARTICIPANTS IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST’S CHURCH.
Resolved by the 192nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, that the Diocese continue to demonstrate its commitment to radical hospitality and, that in accordance with the House of Bishops’ Statement, Fall 2007, we “proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God’s children, including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ’s Church” by: 1) Urging the Archbishop of Canterbury to extend to the duly elected and consecrated Bishop of New Hampshire an invitation to full participation in the Lambeth Conference of 2008; 2) Encouraging our Deputies to the 2009 General Convention to ensure compliance with Title III. Canon I. Section 2, which supports the full and equal participation of all persons regardless of sexual orientation in all aspects of the Church’s ministries, lay and ordained; 3) Encouraging the General Convention to call for the development of public liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions.
Diocese: Bethlehem
DateOfConvention:
Status: Choose one
Date: 2008-05-02
Time: 04:26:04 -0700
Diocese: Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
DateOfConvention: 6/6/2008
Status: Passed without amendment or substitute
Date: 2008-06-15
Time: 10:34:37 -0700
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, being guided by the Holy Spirit, reaffirms its commitment to celebrate the richness of our church communities to insure that all persons regardless of sex or sexual orientation are full and equal participants in the Life of Christ’s Church.
From http://www.diocesecpa.org/news.cfm Commenting on the resolution, David Shively, Diocesan Communications Officer, noted two points: First: that the resolution passed only after lengthy discussion, during which those present acknowledged that the upcoming Lambeth Conference has made it particularly important that local dioceses support and encourage a continuing dialogue on issues of sexuality. This resolution was offered in that spirit of encouragement. Second: that the resolution does not seek to influence any specific group or entity, but rather to reaffirm the willingness of the clergy and laity of this Diocese to enter into productive discussions on issues of human sexuality. These discussions would anticipate that issues of sexuality will be among the topics for debate at the Church’s General Convention in 2009. In other actions, Convention delegates also approved two resolutions dealing with the establishment of disaster preparedness plans at the parish and diocesan level, and they approved a resolution encouraging the planning, development, and expansion of ministries for youth. ------ Relayed to you by Louie Crew
Diocese: Massachusetts
DateOfConvention:
Status: Passed without amendment or substitute
Date: 2008-06-21
Time: 11:58:08 -0700
Resolutions on Marriage Rites in Civil Jurisdictions that Permit Same-Sex Marriages. Resolved That the 76th General Convention authorize use of the rites for Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage and the Blessing of a Civil Marriage in the Book of Common Pray for same-sex couples in those civil jurisdictions that permit same-sex marriage, and to authorize modification of gender references in the rites to accommodate such marriages, and be it further Resolved that 76th General Convention amend Title I, Canon 18: Of the Solemnization of Holy Matrimony by striking the words "a man and a woman" and "husband and wife" wherever they appear and inserting in place thereof the words "two adults", and be it further Resolved that the 76th General Convention amend Title I, Canon 19: Of Regulations Respecting Holy Matrimony by striking the words "husband or wife" and "the husband of the wife" wherever they appear, and inserting in place thereof the word "spouse". ----------
Written for dioceses within jurisdictions that allow civil marriage of same-sex couple. This via Byron Rushing <Byron.Rushing@state.ma.us>
Diocese: tOTrEwpTETFiLI
DateOfConvention: pGRnAmJSnEM
Status: Choose one
Date: 2008-06-21
Time: 18:34:15 -0700
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Diocese: Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
DateOfConvention: June 6, 2008
Status: Passed with amendment or substitute
Date: 2008-06-23
Time: 13:58:40 -0700
For submission to the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania’s Convention, June 2008 PROPOSED Resolution for the Inclusion of all persons regardless of sexual orientation as full and equal participants in the life of Christ’s Church. WHEREAS, our baptismal covenant calls us to “respect the dignity of every human being” and, WHEREAS, Title III, Canon 1, Section 2 of the Canons of The Episcopal Church states that “No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this church because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age;” and WHEREAS, The Diocese of Central Pennsylvania is committed (Ref: Resolution No. 4 of the 130th Convention -2000) “…to celebrating the richness of our church communities, inclusive of all diversity of gender and sexual orientations, at all levels of the Church’s life”; and further, to”… stand together in opposition to all acts of exclusion or ostracism of, or violence toward gay and lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons (or those perceived or thought to be so), at all levels of the Church’s life”. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, being guided by the Holy Spirit, reaffirms its commitment to celebrate the richness of our church communities to insure that all persons regardless of sex or sexual orientation are full and equal participants in the Life of Christ’s Church by: 1) Encouraging our Deputies to the 2009 General Convention to ensure compliance with Title III. Canon I. Section 2, which supports the full and equal participation of all persons regardless of sexual orientation in all aspects of the Church’s ministries, lay and ordained by voting for an end to the restrictions imposed by Resolution B033 passed by the 2006 General Convention; 2) Encouraging the General Convention to call for the development of public liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions. Sponsored By: The Rev. Larry J. Hofer, Rector, St. Andrew’s Parish, State College, and lay persons Susan Hofer, Donald Hopkins, Mildred Hopkins, PhD, Robert Passow, Barbara Passow and Rose Bohn Additional Co-sponsors: The Ven. Daniel L. Selvage, Rector, The Rev. Alex R. Dyakiw, Deacon, St. John’s Parish, Bellefonte, and lay persons E. Kay Putnam, Martha Traverse, F. Scott Mauger, Kathryn Grossman, Ph.D., Karen Harvey, Ph.D. and Jason Dench; The Rev. Stephen Casey, Rector, St James Parish, Lancaster; The Rev. John H. Emmert, D. Min., The Rev. Canon John X. Jobson, and The Rev. James. D. Edwards. Background Information 1. One of the important tasks of General Convention 2006 was to craft an official response to the Windsor Report. A commission had been appointed to draft such a response and a series of resolutions was presented to accomplish that task. Some of the resolutions passed, some did not. On the last day of the Convention many in the leadership of the Church felt that the Convention’s response to the Windsor Report would not be adequate to many in the Anglican Communion. Accordingly, an additional resolution, Resolution B033, was proposed and passage was urged by the outgoing presiding bishop, The Rt. Rev. Frank Griswold, and the incoming presiding bishop, The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. This resolution, in effect, asked for a moratorium on the election of any other bishop who was in a long term same gender relationship, such as Bishop Gene Robinson. The resolution passed by a wide margin in both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. Immediately after the vote, a number of bishops announced that they considered the resolution to be in violation of Title III, Canon 1, Section 2 of the Canons of The Episcopal Church. However, most others supported it as a way to keep everyone at the table of the Anglican Communion. Subsequent actions by the Primates of the Anglican Communion at the meeting in Dares Salaam and additional events seem to indicate that the resolution has not had the desired effect. Most would agree that the negative effects of the resolution, at a minimum, represents “justice delayed”. The present resolution, by urging our deputies to General Convention 2009 to vote for an end to the constraints requested in Resolution B033, would align the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania with those who would call for an end to this delay of justice. 2. Many members of the Episcopal Church, because of their sexual orientation, have not married, and yet many of them have entered into long term, faithful, monogamous relationships, similar to marriage in many respects. Many such unions result in extensive family relationships, including the raising of children. At present, in most jurisdictions, it is not possible for same gender couples to enter into a legal arrangement similar to marriage even though justice would indicate that the civil benefits of marriage are deserved. Many such couples also long for the blessing of their union by the Church. Indeed, in many dioceses of the Episcopal Church, ceremonies of blessing of such unions have taken place and continue to take place. At the 2003 Convention the Church recognized “that local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions” (Resolution C051). On the other hand, many in the church feel uncomfortable about the performance of rites that have not met with the approval of the Church as would be represented by the publishing of a rite in the Prayer Book or the Book of Occasional Services. Passage of the present resolution would place the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania in support of taking the first step in developing such a common rite for the blessing of same-gender unions. Forwarded to the Resolution Committee, The Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, via e-mail The honorable Susan Caravaggio February 12, 2008
The resolution was amended by removing 1) and 2) and ending the previous paragraph with "..full and equal participants in the Life of Christ's Church." The resolution was met with considerable support in a limited time for discussion. It is hard to say what caused the defeat of the meat of the resolution. Possible reasons include two aspects of the timing of the resolution. One, the fact that it is still a year to General Convention and the concern of "rocking the boat so close to Lambeth". Overall, it was a step forward for a diocese in which there was no discussion or action on the subject in 2007 and a resolution in 2006 was tabled. The drafters of the resolution plan to submit a similar resolution in 2009.
Diocese:
DateOfConvention:
Status: Passed without amendment or substitute
Date: 2008-07-20
Time: 15:34:24 -0700