In another astonishing surprise in a convention that’s been full of them, the House of Bishops on Wednesday voted 104-30 with two abstentions to provide “a generous pastoral response” to gay and lesbian couples, particularly in areas where gay marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships are legal.
Acknowledging the “changing circumstances” in the United States and elsewhere as laws change, the resolution asks that theological resources be gathered and liturgies designed and brought to the 2012 General Convention for consideration.
The House of Deputies, which has approved by large margins this week several other pieces of legislation relating to human sexuality, will take up the resolution on Thursday.
Bishop Smith voted in favor of the resolution.
Bishops gathered informally earlier in “indaba groups” — the small groups for sharing and deep conversation in which they worked at the Lambeth Conference last summer — to decide how to deal with the issue. Bishop Smith said he voted in favor “because I was part of the conversation to reshape that whole resolution,” C056.
Before the final vote, there was a parliamentary maneuver to discharge, or kill, the resolution. Bishop Smith said he “first voted to discharge because I hoped not to have to vote on it at all.” But the discharge vote failed, 94-42.
Bishop Smith said the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music has been asked to work with the House of Bishops and the Anglican Communion in an open process “to do the theological work” surrounding same-sex blessings, to gather resources, and to report to General Convention in 2012.
Bishop Smith he told Bishop Gene Robinson after the vote, “I’m not sure I can vote for same-sex blessings in three years.”
Several bishops underscored that Wednesday’s action is a small step, according to Episcopal Life Online. Bishop Andy Doyle of Texas, who voted against C056, said, “Nothing we did today actually did anything other than provide for the collection of and design of rites for a conversation. That’s very important to understand. We didn’t bless or move toward blessings any more than we were.”
Bishop Jeffrey Lee of Chicago, who voted for C056 and was part of the informal indaba group, said, “There’s a lot of ground between here and there,” i.e., blessing same-gender relationships
Lee said, “It doesn’t really change from a previous General Convention resolution in 2003 that recognizes congregations are operating within the bonds of our common life by responding with a wide range of pastoral responses to the needs of the members of the church.”
Bishop Smith said he will have more to say to the diocese on this topic after convention. – Judy Stark
Hi Judy thank you for your faith and diligence. Please share my prayers and good wishes with the Bishop, Canon Durning and the rest of the SWFL delegation. We are all waiting to offer aide and comfort when you return home. Blessings fitz