Virginia Goes Over the Brink (affirms "Blessedness" of same-sex relationships) [TEC DeathWatch™]

Stand Firm ^ | 1/24/2009 | Greg Griffith

[sionnsar]

BabyBlue has the story here and here.

The entire resolution reads as follows:

R-4a Integrity of Committing Relationships

RESOLVED, that the Diocese of Virginia recognizes our responsibility to respond to the pastoral needs of our faithful gay and lesbian members in a spirit of love, compassion and respect, and in doing so seek to fulfill our baptismal commitment to respect the dignity of every human being; and be it further

RESOLVED, that accordingly the 214th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia affirms the inherent integrity of and blessededness of committed Christian relationships between two adult persons, when those relationships are "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God." (Resolution 2000-D039 of the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church).

The significance of this resolution cannot easily be overstated, because not only does it affirm same-sex behavior, not only does it effectively nullify the significance of the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, but it comes out of what has thus far thought to be a moderate-to-conservative diocese, institutionalist though it has behaved for the last few years.

The passage of this resolution, and the diocese's plans to introduce same-sex liturgies, is a huge victory for the opposition, and obviously raises a number of important questions.

I urge everyone not to spend too much time asking or debating what this will mean to Rowan Williams, or the covenant "process," or any other such parlor-game questions. Rowan Williams will say little if anything, and do nothing; the covenant process, as we've discussed here ad nauseum, is little more than a thought experiment, a game of "what-if" that assumed an Anglican fantasy world where everyone desires order and actually possesses the restraint to at least attempt to practice it.

I'm sure our readers will have their own fine questions, but I would begin with these:

1. Would this have happened had The Falls Church, Truro and the other breakaway parishes, and their lay and clergy leaders, been present at the convention, to lend both their votes and their leadership to the proceedings?

2. Why Virginia, and why now? One expects this sort of thing from more liberal dioceses, but Virginia has now leaped ahead of a score of other dioceses that are significantly more liberal. What explains this lurch to the left for the Episcopal Church's signature diocese?

3. What, if any, kind of pressure does this put on South Carolina? The two dioceses share a kinship as stalwart old-line members of the church. South Carolina, if it indeed ever wanted "out," has almost certainly waited too long. Other dioceses, not the least of which is my own, look to Virginia as a bellwether diocese. Will this action serve to spook those dioceses into retrenchment, or hasten their drift to the left?

4. What effect will this action have on Virginia's remaining conservative parishes, and attendance and giving across the board? The diocese has already expended millions in a losing battle over the property of departing parishes; how much can more can it bear in the way of drains on its treasury?

This is not California, or El Camino Real, or even North Carolina. Virginia has long defined the "moderate middle" of the Episcopal Church, and for that reason among others I believe the passage of this resolution will send shockwaves through the entire church. I also have to believe that if this is what has happened in Virginia in January, we're in for a real circus come July in Anaheim.

[sionnsar]

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[hinckley buzzard]

I imagine this will open the gate for many more traditional, theologically conservative parishes who will decide to get their hats.

Looks like a lot more property lawsuits looming for Cleopatra and her litigious asp.

[LibreOuMort]

The elevation of “human dignity” over the revealed will of God as written in Holy Scripture is truly anathema. This has become the church of MAN (666) rather than the Church of Jesus Christ. The writing above the door should be ICHABOD (the Glory has departed) - for God is surely gone from their midst.

Take no delight in their destruction but rather weep for the perdition of their souls. Call those who are still in their thrall to come out from among them while there is still time.

[sten]

umm... why only 2 adult persons? sounds like they are hatin’ on the mooslimbs and old-time mormons.

also, what defines a ‘person’? can a human adult ‘person’ marry a canine adult ‘person’?

because remember, animals are people too.

/s