At its monthly meeting of the Diocesan Council, held on January 29, 2009, the bishops outlined their proposal. The bishops plan to engage in a consultation process in order for the pastoral care of all Anglicans to be strengthened. They will implement their response when the bishops discern that it is appropriate.<\/p>\n
The bishops\u2019 proposal in offering a pastoral response is as follows:<\/p>\n
* Episcopal permission be given to a limited number of parishes, based on Episcopal discernment, to offer prayers and blessing (but not the nuptial blessing) to same-sex couples in stable, long-term, committed relationships, as an extension of the current pastoral norms.
\n * Episcopal guidelines on the nature of the prayers\/blessing will be established. A particular rite will not be authorized.
\n * Episcopal permission for blessings will be required.
\n * Evaluation of this pastoral response will be undertaken after one year.
\n * No parish or clergy will be required to participate.
\n * A Bishop\u2019s Commission will be formed to create the guidelines, monitor activity and review.<\/p>\n
Bishop Johnson said that it is too early to say what form the proposed prayers or blessings in the diocese will take. However, he emphasized that the bishops\u2019 pastoral response does not include the provision for a marriage rite. He was clear in saying that any movement towards the recognition of same-sex unions as marriage or the approval of authorized liturgical rites would fall under the purview of General Synod and not diocesan authority. The Bishop emphasized that no parish or priest would be asked to act contrary to their conscience, and that pastoral generosity must also be extended to those who would oppose this proposal.<\/p>\n