Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The Supreme Court of California has determined that all citizens of our state should have equal access to marriage as a civil right based in our state constitution. The Court’s ruling provides the Church with an opportunity to reflect on our own theology of marriage. In the Diocese of Los Angeles, we have sought to provide the Church’s blessing to all the baptized people of God.
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Among those are people who have sought to have same-sex relationships blessed in the community of faith. I know that the acceptance of same-sex unions has caused spiritual struggle and questioning for some members of our Diocese, our Church and the Anglican Communion. My policy has been to allow clergy to respond to the needs of their community with pastoral sensitivity including the blessing of these unions as they deem appropriate to the pastoral context.
Earlier this year, when the court made same-sex marriage an option in civil law, I felt it necessary to convene a task force to develop a diocesan policy by which clergy in our Diocese might officiate at same-sex marriages. The task force has developed educational materials that I hope will help you and members of our Diocese to reflect on the issues involved in same sex-marriage as we discern our way forward.
I hope that all clergy in our Diocese might educate our congregations about marriage and have conversations about it.
Performing and blessing these marriages is not simply theoretical. There are real people in congregations large and small who have waited sometimes for many years for this opportunity, and the witness of their faithful love has been an inspiration to me. Other couples will step forward in the future. I hope you will take the opportunity in the next several weeks to listen to their stories. Many among these couples are members of our congregations.
While no one in this Diocese will be forced to move beyond what his or her conscience allows, we seek to provide that gracious space for those whose conscience compels them to bless the marriages of all faithful people as together we discern the work of the Holy Spirit who continues to lead us into all truth.
Your Brother in Christ,
(The Rt. Rev.) J. Jon Bruno is Bishop of Los Angeles
This is the sort of thing that convinced me I was no longer a Protestant.
Um, what happened to the agreements that ssb’s would not go forward until there was a consensus in the communion? Or that no rites would be sanctioned without a vote at GC 09?
Jumping the gun? Tearing apart the fabric of the Communion? How about a move for inhibition and deposition of Bruno?
And there you have it folks…the first official TEC authorization of same-sex “marriage.”
Are you listening Rowan Williams?
From the same person who brought us, “Not in my diocese!” I am sure that they will deny these are authorized – just gracious space.
If they are the “people of faith” we must be the “people of religion.” Anyway I think SSM’s are a mockery and offense at a divine institution (Holy Matrimony) and it profanes the holiness of the sanctuary to do that. In fact all of the beautiful music and liturgy of my former parish became like salt without savor when holiness (as revealed in the Bible) was removed from the intentions. A lot of people there feel sanctified by the beautiful music and vestments but for me it became a sort of parody and mockery when the firm foundation of the Apostles’ teachings was ignored where inconvenient.
LibraryJim,
EVERY Episcopal bishop in California issued a joint statement urging Californians to vote NO on Prop 8, which would put into the state constitution the definition of marriage as “one man and one woman.” See this: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_100556_ENG_HTM.htm
I know that the Bishop of El Camino Real has told her diocese that all those wishing to be wed can be married in an Episcopal church, but by non-TEC clergy or in a civil ceremony first, then the rest of the ceremony can proceed, including a Eucharist. This way, she’s observing the letter of the moratorium, if not the spirit. It’s certainly a creative way to make her “Windsor-compliant.” From here: http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/dioceses/diocese_of_el_camino_real_guid.html
[blockquote]You may have a same-gender civil marriage and blessing in your church provided an Episcopal priest does not officiate at the marriage itself or sign the marriage license and the Book of Common Prayer is not used. For example, you may have a civil ceremony conducted by someone other than an Episcopal clergyperson, followed by a blessing of that union (which could surely include a Eucharist) by an Episcopal priest.[/blockquote]
#7 Sue, now I’m gladder than ever before that my wife and I left the Diocese of El Camino Real over five years ago!
I am comforted that the bishops in CA feel affirmed in their decisions by a secular court. I am sure they will all sleep better at night.
“While no one in this Diocese will be forced to move beyond what his or her conscience allows…” I’ve always thought marriage between a man and woman is not first of all an issue of conscience but of Christian Faith.
[blockquote]The Court’s ruling provides the Church with an opportunity to reflect on our own theology of marriage.[/blockquote]
There’s the problem in a nutshell. No need to read further.
“Earlier this year, . . . I felt it necessary to convene a task force to develop a diocesan policy by which . . . .”
This is so ECUSA.
Oh no, no one will be pushed to deny his conscience. Of course not, but check the careers of any priests who won’t do same-sex marriage. Remember the careers of priests who opposed female priesthood on principle, and how well their consciences have been respected in TEC.
All those years of helmet-to-helmet contact have taken their toll. May God have mercy on his soul.
It does not make them Windsor compliant, Sue Martinez (#7). It only makes them all the more dishonest. A blessing of a civil union is recognizing a civil contact as a christian marriage and blessing it as such.