The leader of Episcopalians in Vermont stands by his church’s progressive treament of gay and lesbian couples in Vermont, despite opposition from conservatives in his denomination and an ambiguous national policy on the blessing of same-sex unions.
Thomas C. Ely, the Episcopal bishop of Vermont, played an active role in the recent meeting of the Episcopal House of Bishops that answered a communiqué by the Anglican Communion objecting to policies regarding gays and lesbians in the American church.
“Our church, the Episcopal Church, has continually spoken out and been an advocate for the civil rights of gay and lesbian persons in our culture, and certainly here in Vermont that’s key to our mission and ministry,” Ely said Sunday, during an interview at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bennington, where he took part in the Cornerstone Centennial Celebration.
The Episcopal Church in the U.S. is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a fellowship of churches that trace their roots back to the Church of England. Over the past several decades, homosexuality has become a divisive issue, particularly with the election in 2003 of…[Gene] Robinson, a gay man in a relationship, to become bishop of New Hampshire. In addition, some Episcopal dioceses ”” including the Diocese of Vermont ”” permit the blessing of same-sex couples as a pastoral decision by clergy.
[blockquote]Ely wrote, “We acknowledged as well that ‘the majority of bishops make no allowance for the blessing of same-sex unions.’ Of course that means some bishops do. I am one who makes allowance for such blessings, and I intend to continue the current pastoral approach we have in place in the Diocese of Vermont for the blessing of holy unions. This was clearly addressed and understood in the House of Bishops.
“We in the Diocese of Vermont have not authorized any public rites for the blessing of same-sex unions. That is the work of General Convention, and I long for the day when the Episcopal Church adopts a public rite for the blessing of same-sex unions,” Ely added. “During our discussion in New Orleans, I made it clear to my colleagues that our pastoral care of lesbian and gay couples is important to our common life in the Diocese of Vermont.” [/blockquote]
This statement is quite clear. This statement by Ely says what many of us have said for ages. Regardless of GC, each individual bishop has the power and authority in his or her own diocese to comply with the wishes of the Primates. They can authorize or prohibit ssbs on there own authority and the existence or nonexistence of a GC approved liturgy is a red herring.
Ah, yes. Gay and lesbian rights-that’s the key to the Gospel.
And then he says this:
Isn’t this the same Diocese that created it’s own liturgy for SSB in 2004?
We have pastoral responses at present, and we will have them. Be nice to have an official liturgy, you know, but that’s not really necessary…sort of like bishops’ leading – nice idea, but rather fatastical. Still, it’s so much more fun when the whole ‘community’ gives the one-fingered salute to the rest of the Anglican Communion, promotes a feeling of solidarity and integrity. Why, o why, must we wait longer for that sensation? Here’s my prophetic stand.
The above is merely one interpretation, of course. Your mileage may vary.
Well…here is a high-handed and straight-forward true believer bishop! And the answer from all those silent, “not voting” bishops at NOLA would be what? This is the future for TEC. The PB refrains from the overt bluntness of this bishop, but she is on board with the message.
Would someone please explain what civil rights has to do with same-sex blessings?
Or doesn’t the Bishop of Vermont understand the difference between legal marriage, which is the business of the state, and the sacrament of marriage, which is the business of the church?
I’m all for being able to put domestic partners on your health insurance, but I balk at the Church becoming involved.
It’s Vermont, home of socialist Rep. Bernie Sanders. Need I say more? Next. . .