The clear message of the September 25th House of Bishops (HOB) statement is that they are determined to stay on the exact same course that they have been on all along.<\/p>\n
Although promising \u201cnot to authorize public rites for the blessing of same-sex unions\u201d\u009d sounds like a prohibition, in reality it is a \u201cdon\u2019t ask; don\u2019t tell\u201d\u009d policy in practice. This has been demonstrated by Bishop Bruno\u2019s recent comments that he has not authorized such blessings, while priests in the Diocese of Los Angeles do so without hesitation. If this were a prohibition, priests who conduct such blessings would be inhibited by Bishop Bruno. To date, this has not happened. Not authorizing \u201ca public rite\u201d\u009d means that The Episcopal Church (TEC) will not authorize and publish an official prayer book service for same-sex unions. In other words, clergy in dioceses who wish to perform same-sex unions may continue to do so, so long as it is not an official public rite. This is neither prohibition nor restraint. It is simply turning a blind eye.<\/p>\n
Likewise, the promise to \u201cexercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church\u201d\u009d is a proclamation of intent that falls far short of repentance, and is no guarantee of cessation. At best this is a pause, not a change in direction. Were this a change in direction, a lesbian candidate for the Diocese of Chicago would be removed from the list. What did the HOB statement say about ordaining practicing homosexuals to other clerical orders? Nothing.<\/p>\n