Note: the resource “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” linked in this article [more on this to follow]
The Episcopal Church approved church-wide blessings of same-sex unions, stopping short of approving rites for same-sex marriage but approving liturgy for official rites for same-sex couples. Bishops can begin using “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” on December 2, when same-sex couples can exchange vows and rings. Each bishop will decide whether to allow the rite within each local diocese, and a conscience clause bars penalties for bishops who oppose the rite.
Tuesday’s debate lasted for about 90 minutes. Proponents offered stories of gay friends who would benefit from the rites, while opponents suggested the denomination was contradicting its own doctrine.
Some predicted that General Convention would not be able to legally authorize the trial rite because it would require a supermajority vote in the House of Bishops. Denominational leaders changed the wording in the resolution from “trial rite” to “provisional” rite, where a simple majority vote was needed.
“It’s significant, but I don’t think it’s a surprise,” said Samuel Candler, dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta and an evangelical who favored the proposal. “Even with this vote, most of the people who wanted to leave have already left.”
The ones who wanted to leave BEFORE have already left, but the good dean doesn’t take into account the ones who may want to leave NOW. He ignores how TEC makes it harder and harder to stay with each GC.
Sam Candler is an evangelical?!