Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island Statement on the Blessing of Same-Sex Relationships

[Resolution] A049…specifies that the liturgy will not be authorized for use until the first Sunday in Advent 2012, which is December 2nd of this year. Due to Bishop Wolf’s retirement and Bishop Elect Nicholas Knisely’s consecration November 17th, the implementation of this liturgy will be at his direction in consultation with others.

Bishop Elect Nicholas Knisely did not have vote at this year’s General Convention, but during his election process this past May he spoke publically in support of authorizing a blessing of same-sex relationships while at the same time honoring the diversity of opinion on this subject in Rhode Island Episcopal Parishes.

Bishop Elect Knisely reminds Rhode Island Episcopalians of Roger William’s legacy of religious tolerance. He said this week “How do we live into a world where people disagree? We are Episcopalians. We understand and fully expect that we won’t agree. That would be a “pure” church ”“ and we have historically rejected that understanding of how to live as God’s people in the world. We find our unity in common prayer.”

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Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, --Gen. Con. 2012, Episcopal Church (TEC), General Convention, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Parish Ministry, Same-sex blessings, Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion), TEC Bishops, TEC Parishes

5 comments on “Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island Statement on the Blessing of Same-Sex Relationships

  1. BlueOntario says:

    Common prayer? Not so much, for the bishop elect appears to disregard the Articles of Religion and worse, the Holy Scripture. TEc is become merely U/U good feelings with the trappings of a liturgy and as Christian as Mormanism.

  2. Big Vicar says:

    The sound you hear is Roger Williams spinning like a lathe.

  3. MichaelA says:

    This is the bishop-elect of the diocese that had to close its cathedral because it couldn’t pay the bills, right?

  4. Don C says:

    MichaelA, that is correct.

  5. Don C says:

    I also must add that I’m disappointed in Geralyn Wolf. While we always knew her to be the most ‘moderate’ of the Communion Partner bishops, I had expected her to vote against this.