House of Bishops Report #021-06-02-11: Blessing of Same Sex Unions
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official8271
- Date
- 2002 November 8-10
- Type
- Resolution 21-11-02
- Mover
- Bishop Victoria Matthews
- Seconder
- Bishop Donald Harvey
- Prologue
- Moved by: Archbishop David Crawley
- Seconded by: Mr. James Sweeny
- That the Council of General Synod request the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee to consult with the General Synod Planning Committee to ensure that the matter of the blessings of same sex unions is brought before General Synod 2004 for discussion and if possible, resolution;
- That the committees consider ways in which the church may be prepared for the discussion;
- And that the committees make a progress report to the Council in May 2003.
- Amendment
- Text of motion
- That the motion be amended by adding the words "and the House of Bishops" after "General Synod Planning Committee." CARRIED
- Friendly Amendment
- The mover and seconder agreed to deleting the words "for discussion and if possible, resolution".
- The amended motion now reads:
- That the Council of General Synod request the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee to consult with the General Synod Planning Committee and the House of Bishops to ensure that the matter of the blessings of same sex unions is brought before General Synod 2004.
- That the committees consider ways in which the church may be prepared for the discussion;
- And that the committees make a progress report to the Council in May 2003. CARRIED #21-11-02
- Notes
- Table groups were formed to give response to: "What are our expectations of what we are asking the Faith Worship and Ministry and General Synod Planning Committees to do?" Results of the table group discussions (Appendix D) will be forwarded to the committees.
- APPENDIX D
- DRAFT #2
- "Expectations" of the work of FWM
- Developed by table groups at the November 2002 meeting
- Council of General Synod
- A: Prior to General Synod 2004
- A-1: Preparatory materials
- 1. Clear, readable preparatory materials, including theological reflection and a history of the issue
- 2. Background is needed on sexuality -- how are we/do we become sexual beings ?
- 3. Process needs to include compendium of prior statements on this issue
- 4. To find materials, both pro and con, on the subject of same-sex blessings, and to render that material down to a coherent and manageable state and distribute to dioceses and/or parishes well before General Synod 2004
- 5. Prepare a broad-based study kit with background material and various views, to include the study materials from the New Westminster process and similar materials from other sources. New Westminster materials to include:
- - a. Dialogue to date
- - b. Process
- - c. Chronology
- - d. Include the liturgical text for blessing of same-sex unions
- 6. Need up-to-date material, e.g. government on same-sex marriage
- 7. Language must be translatable to make sure it is clear
- A-2: Consultations
- 1. Bring issue to parishes, deaneries, dioceses for open discussion
- 2. Elicit responses from aboriginal and multicultural perspectives. Indigenous people need to be included in this, through ACIP or some other means
- 3. Where are people prepared to be generous -- consultation with lobby groups, Fidelity, Integrity, ACiNW, Diocese of New Westminster
- 4. Consensus building in advance
- 5. Hear from both sides of debate from New Westminster
- A-3: Procedures
- 1. Testing a number of resolutions prior to General Synod 2004 and a pro-con list for each
- 2. Preparation for actions at synod to reconcile divisions
- 3. A motion from FWM or CoGS would take precedence over a motion from an individual member
- 4. Timing needs to be considered -- before or after the Primatial election
- A-4: Spiritual
- 1. Pray that we come to the debate without our minds made up
- 2. Whatever happens at General Synod 2004, and in the preparation, should allow us to continue to live with each other, whatever the outcome
- B: Process suggestions for presentation/debate at GS 2004
- B-1: Presentation ideas
- 1. Consider a point-counterpoint presentation at the beginning that reflects the "many sides" of the issue
- 2. Pro, Con, and Middle presentations with a rationale for each
- B-2: Discussion/debate ideas
- 1. Process that would let us speak out of concern for the church, not in win-lose
- 2. Open and frank discussion
- 3. Facilitators for discussion
- B-2 [i.e. B-3]: Procedural considerations
- 1. Procedure and debate that won't sideline other agenda items -- clear time limits
- 2. Process needs to work on the personal and corporate levels
- 3. NOT an up-down vote on blessings
- 4. Can there be helpful focus questions in home groups
- 5. Process that is not adversarial -- but respectful of diversity
- 6. Use of the committee of the whole
- 7. Consequences for other priorities already committed to
- C: Theological Issues
- C-1: Scripture
- 1. Make available a biblical hermeneutic
- 2. The different approaches to the interpretation and use of scripture is yet to be addressed, years after "Hearing Diverse Voices"
- 3. Have non-biased bible study to reflect on the issue
- C-2: Theological Reflection
- 1. Where is the good news in this ? Where is the manifestation of the Kingdom ? What is the Kingdom ?
- 2. Carried out in the language of faith in a well-grounded faith-based dialogue
- 3. Use language that makes sense to all three orders -- laity, clergy and bishops
- 4. Formulate questions that would help us determine whether the issue us faith and worship and/or order and pastoral care
- 5. Doctrinal considerations, questions of faith and order
- 6. Separate doctrinal from pastoral concerns
- 7. How to be loving people -- focus on sin clouds hope
- D: Church Order/Canonical Issues
- D-1: Local Option/Diocesan Jurisdiction
- 1. An outcome of local option
- 2. "Local option" is about the biggest issue General Synod can handle
- 3. What is the authority and jurisdiction of the diocese ?
- 4. Gather ideas and options for how we live together in the absence of a common mind
- 5. A way of living together with difference
- D-2: Relationship with Canadian Law
- 1. Process needs to address clearly the legal situation in Canada and the provinces; Clarifying the nature and status of the issue -- is this a church-splitting issue
- 2. Differentiating between church blessing of same-sex unions and civil recognition of same-sex marriage
- 3. Clarification -- if this is "marriage" what is the way forward ?
- D-2 [i.e. D-3]: Relationship with Canon Law/Church Structures
- 1. Address the issue of authority -- who gets to decide, reference to the work of the Jurisdiction Task Force
- 2. Clarity as to the role of the House of Bishops and its authority in relationship with General Synod
- 3. Formulate questions that would help us determine whether the issue is faith and worship and/or order and pastoral care
- 4. Information on alternative Episcopal oversight and conscience clause in the Canadian context
- Subjects
- Same sex unions - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod (37th : 2004 : St. Catharines, Ont.) - Agenda