The Rev. Gay Jennings (Ohio), chair of the Committee on World Mission, said the committee chose this resolution as its vehicle to describe the mind of the church. “It is the best reflection of where we are today as a church on episcopal elections and the Anglican Communion,” she said at the start of debate.
The question of whether or not this resolution overturns Resolution B033, passed at the 2006 General Convention, that called for The Episcopal Church to “exercise restraint” in ordaining practicing gay and lesbian persons to the Episcopate was not clear. When a deputy from Central Florida asked if it did, Chairman Jennings said only that the resolution is “operating within the canons of the church.”
The deputy replied that he took that “as open to interpretation. Some will regard this as ending B033 and some will not; the two bodies that must interpret it are diocesan standing committees and bishops.” He added that when “we send fuzzy signals” to the Anglican Communion, “they get confused about our relationship.”
Is it a repeal of B033? As Curmudgeon points out, B033 didn’t really need to be “repealed” because it was merely a position statement of the last GC.
Regardless, the proof will be how soon there will be another Gene running around, whining about his or her great suffering. My prediction: Tracey Lind will be consecrated within a year. Yes, folks, you heard it here first!
Fuzzy = fudgey, It means nothing, just like BO33. Deeds tell.