"Episcopal Bishops authorize gay blessing".....one very small step...

[Rowdyboy]

(crossposted from the LGBT forum)

Approve of religion or no, you should at least acknowledge when high level clergy show some signs of rationality. It doesn't happen that often

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57469077/episcopal-bishops-authorize-gay-blessing/

(AP) Episcopal bishops approved an official prayer service for blessing same-sex couples Monday at a national convention that also cleared the way for transgender ordination. At the Episcopal General Convention in Indianapolis, the House of Bishops voted 111-41, with three abstentions, to authorize a provisional rite for same-sex unions for the next three years. The liturgy next goes to convention's deputies for their authorization.

In a separate vote Monday, the full convention approved new anti-discrimination language for transgendered clergy candidates and church members. Some dioceses already ordain transgendered people or elect them to positions of parish leadership. However, advocates for the amendment argued they needed an explicit statement of acceptance as the churchwide policy. The Rev. Carla Robinson, who is transgendered and a vicar of All Saints Church in Seattle, said she was lucky to have the backing of parishes and bishops when she was considering ordination, but she said others haven't had the same support.

The official liturgy for same-sex blessings has been in development since 2009, when it was authorized by the last General Convention. Some bishops had already developed rites for the ceremonies for use in their own dioceses. If the deputies approve the proposal before them in Indianapolis, it will be the first such official prayer for use by the entire church.

The rite is called "The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant." It includes what one bishop described as a conscience clause, explicitly stating that no one in the church would be forced to perform the ceremony or punished in any way for barring its use."

Its not equality by any rational definition but its a step in the right direction for one small segment of a vast institution that seems largely dysfunctional (i.e. the Christian church)

[ChazII]

1. A journey always begins with that first step. n/t

[cbayer]

2. Huge kudos to them. This will hopefully set the standard for other denominations,

as the Espicopalians have done in the past.

I like "The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant". Perhaps that is a better term than marriage in the long run - more descriptive and could not be used easily by the religiously intolerant to discriminate.

[47of74]

3. I feel better and better all the time...

...about leaving the Roman church behind and taking steps to join up with the Episcopalians.

[Rowdyboy]

4. Tonight delegates of the priests and laity confirmed the decision by 76% and 78% respectively...

So now its been approved at all levels. My partner and I plan to get married sometime before next June when I expect the supreme court to outlaw it. I just want it on record and now, if I choose, I can have a priest of my denomination do the ceremony (at least in the states where its legal). My local rural southern priest told us years ago that he wished he could marry us-said we obviously belonged together.

I hope you seriously consider the change. The services, liturgy and music are very similar but the theology (at least in some congregations) is pretty liberal. In twelve years I've never regretted joining.

My priest is the only man in this podunk backwater southern village I know who is more liberal than I am.