ORIGINAL TEXT

Resolution D051

Title:   Public Rites of Blessing for Same-Sex Unions

Topic:   Liturgy

Committee:   26. Special Legislative Committee

House of Initial Action:   Bishops

Proposer:   Mr. David Grizzle (Texas)

Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That the 75th General Convention concur with the Windsor Report in its exhortation to bishops of the Anglican Communion to honor the Primates’ Pastoral Letter of May 2003, by not proceeding to authorize public Rites of Blessing for same-sex unions, until some broader consensus in the Anglican Communion emerges; and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention advise those bishops who have authorized public diocesan rites that, “because of the serious repercussions in the Communion,” they heed the invitation “to express regret that the proper constraints of the bonds of affection were breached by such authorization” (Windsor Report 144); and be it further
Resolved, That such bishops be called upon to withdraw consent to further use of such diocesan rites until such broader consensus within the Communion emerges.
 


EXPLANATION

This resolution is very similar to a resolution proposed by the Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.  It differs from the resolution proposed by the Special Commission in that it deletes gratuitous and ambiguous language about preserving a "breadth of private" responses.  Also, it adopts more directive language with respect to calling upon bishops to withdraw their consent to further use of Rites of Blessing for same-sex unions.  If we desire to repent of hurtful behavior, our repentance should be hearty.