The General Convention of the US Episcopal Church will be asked to authorize rites for the blessing of same-sex unions at their triennial meeting in July. On Jan 31 the Diocese of Newark synod endorsed a resolution asking the General Convention to amend the national Church\u2019s canons governing Holy Matrimony, making them gender-neutral.<\/p>\n
Newark\u2019s Resolution 2009-05 asks the national church to amend Canon 18: Of the Solemnization of Holy Matrimony, substituting the words \u201ctwo persons\u201d\u009d where the words \u201ca man and a woman\u201d\u009d now appear, and to amend Canon 19: Of Regulations Respecting Holy Matrimony, to substitute the word \u201cspouse\u201d\u009d where the words \u201chusband or wife\u201d\u009d appear.<\/p>\n
Delegates to the Newark synod also asked their diocesan clergy to henceforth record services solemnizing same-sex civil unions in the parish register \u201cin a manner identical to the recording of marriages,\u201d\u009d and stated the diocese\u2019s intention of asking the national Church to amend its canons making this innovation church wide.<\/p>\n