Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Welcome to the Episcopal Church where words mean any damn thing we want them to mean:
In a letter e-mailed to the clergy of his diocese, the Rt. Rev. Larry Maze, Bishop of Arkansas, has given congregations permission to develop pastoral responses to same-gender couples who seek the blessing of The Episcopal Church for their relationships.
Under the terms outlined in the letter, clergy are forbidden from performing sacramental rites for the blessing of same-sex unions, but clergy and congregations are permitted to experiment with pastoral responses to same-sex couples seeking affirmation and support.
The July 19 letter noted that while The Episcopal Church remains divided over the propriety of same-sex blessings, there had been agreement for more than 30 years that “homosexual persons are children of God,” and are to be shown “love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care.”
“Seeking ways of recognizing and blessing faithful, monogamous same-sex relationships falls within the parameters of providing pastoral concern and care for our gay and lesbian members,” Bishop Maze wrote, citing the 74th General Convention’s resolution that placed same-sex blessings “within the bounds of our common life.”
A spokesman for Bishop Maze, who began a two-week vacation on July 21, told The Living Church “we are not talking about same-sex marriage.” Bishop Maze “has only approved a process whereby we can explore the meaning of same-sex blessings.”“Neither the General Convention nor the Diocese of Arkansas has produced or approved official rites for the blessing of same-sex unions,” he said, adding “no congregation, vestry, or priest is expected to interpret the pastoral concern and care of the Church for gay and lesbian persons in a way that includes the possibility of formal rites of blessing.”
Congregations, however, were encouraged to come to “clarity around the issues involved when the church blesses anything or anyone.
“If a couple seeks blessing in that congregation, they will join in that exploration much to the benefit of the congregation and the couple. This is a pastoral response,” Bishop Maze explained.
Uh huh. It's not same-sex marriage. Because it's not in the prayer book and we're not calling it that, that's why! Stop looking at me like that!
In case you're wondering, when President Clinton strapped on that chubby, 24-year-old milking machine, he wasn't cheating on Hillary. He was "exploring his sexuality." And I'm not currently helping myself to the contents of Larry Maze's wallet. I'm "engaging in income redistribution."
Just so we're clear.
The Bishop can okay such "blessings" but God never will.