Participants [at the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation] came from 19 AnÂglican provinces, including Brazil, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and the Southern Cone. Topics included theology, cultural contexts, and the shape and elements of ritual. Papers were delivered by the Bishop of Central Tanganyika, the Rt Revd Mdimi Mhogolo, and by the Revd Dr Simon Jones, of Merton College, Oxford.
Dr Jones drew attention to the particular issues faced by Church of England clergy who frequently have to deal with couples presenting themselves for marriage in church, neither of whom are baptised, or attend church regularly.
Bishop Mhogolo explained that Christian missionaries who came to Tanzania had paid no attention to traditional Tanzanian marriage-customs, in which washing and anointing rather than rings and vows were the principal symbols.
This seems to contradict what others have said about this meeting.
Not necessarily. Respectful, but direct and frank.
I find it interesting at the bottom of the article that readers are asked to vote on a rather sneaky question “Should blessings of civil partnerÂships be modelled on the marriage service?” It seems to be a foregone conclusion that blessings of civil partnerships will proceed. It’s just a matter now of deciding the liturgical format. By voting one is essentially agreeing that civil partnerships should be blessed.
Ross
It seems like this is just “spin” by revisionist. The Church of England Newspaper tells a different version of events. http://geoconger.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/anglican-liturgical-group-rejects-american-push-for-gay-blessings-the-church-of-england-newspaper-aug-17-2011-p-5/
Other than the usual levers used to get their way, I don’t see why a “yes” to civil partnerships or civil marriage implies, denotes, or entitles one to an automatic church(in most of our cases, Christian) marriage. In most churches, marriage is not a “right” for straights, either and conducted solely at the direction of the pastor/priest/bishop/other clergy. I have in mind the exception of the RC priests, who are obligated to conduct a RC wedding for RCs in good standing. Others can weigh in on how other faiths(besides Anglican) may do it.
Or are we looking to completely redefine the sacrament at will? All baptized Christians have sacramental access, but to the marriage sacrament AS IT IS CURRENTLY DEFINED; one-man, one-woman.