ORIGINAL TEXT

Resolution D049

Title:   Amend Canon I.18

Topic:   Matrimony

Committee:   05. Canons

House of Initial Action:   Deputies

Proposer:   The Rev. Elizabeth Morris Downie (Eastern Michigan)

Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That Canon I.18 be completely rewritten so as to change the institution of marriage to a civil event presided over by an Agent of the State and requiring that the Members of the Clergy be responsible solely for the blessing of the union as a Holy Act and thus no longer be authorized by the Church to act as agents of the state for any kind of civil marriage or civil union.
 


EXPLANATION

The Episcopal Church should determine whether it is appropriate for its clergy to continue to act as agents of the state by conducting marriage ceremonies.  The Blessing of a civil marriage or union is a  more appropriate role for the clergy.  In many parts of the world that is precisely the role clergy play - that of blessing civil marriages or unions.