Albany bishop’s Title IV hearing in same-sex marriage case postponed

From ENS-

The Title IV hearing panel dealing with Albany Bishop William Love’s refusal to allow same-sex marriages in his diocese has been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was originally set to take place on April 21 in Colonie, New York.

In 2018, after the passage of General Convention Resolution B012 — which allows same-sex marriages to be performed across the church, wherever it is legal to do so — Love issued a letter stating he would not abide by the resolution and would continue to block same-sex marriages in his diocese. During a House of Bishops meeting in September 2019, it was announced that Love would face a hearing under the church’s Title IV disciplinary process.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/04/22/albany-bishop-loves-title-iv-hearing-in-same-sex-marriage-case-postponed/

Church of Ireland refuses to apologise to gay couples for hurt caused

From Christian Today-

The Church of Ireland has refused to apologise to gay couples hurt by the lack of blessing for their relationships.

A motion calling for the Anglican body to acknowledge the hurt felt and asking bishops to look into prayers and thanksgiving services for LGBT couples was rejected by the Church's synod last Friday.

After splitting into their three separate factions – bishops, clergy and laity – to vote, the motion was defeated by 72 to 56 in the clergy and by 104 to 90 in the laity. The bishops opted not to vote.

Tabled by Dr Leo Kilroy and seconded by Rev Brian O'Rourke, both members of the select committee looking issues surrounding same-sex relationships, the private members motion did not look to change church teaching.

Instead it asked the synod to acknowledge 'the injury felt by members of the Church who enter into loving, committed and legally-recognised, same-sex relationships, due to the absence of provision for them to mark that key moment in their lives publicly and prayerfully in Church'.

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.of.ireland.refuses.to.apologise.to.gay.couples.for.hurt.caused/108617.htm

Episcopal Bishop: Priests Can Wed Gay Couples Without My OK

From Mississippi-

Episcopal priests in Mississippi no longer need to seek the bishop's permission to perform weddings for same-sex couples.
 
The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, Rt. Rev. Brian Seage, announced what he called the "significant" change in a June 3 letter to churches.
 
Seage said clergy members still have "the discretion to marry, or not marry, any specific couple for any reason."
 
He said he respects priests who are unable to perform same-sex weddings because of their own conscience or because they believe it would cause irreparable harm to their congregation's unity.
 
"My only request is that you refer, to me, any same sex couple seeking marriage, so arrangements can be made to offer these services of the church," Seage wrote.
 
Delegates to the Episcopal General Convention voted overwhelmingly last year to change church law to allow same-sex marriages throughout the denomination. Since then, Episcopal bishops in other some places had already said priests don't need to seek their permission to wed same-sex couples.
More here-

http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2016/jun/09/episcopal-bishop-priests-can-wed-gay-couples-witho/

Nigeria severs Link with Liverpool Over same-sex marriage.

From Christian Concern-

The Nigerian Archbishop has spoken out against the Church of England, after an American Episcopalian bishop, who supports blessing same-sex unions, has been appointed in the Diocese of Liverpool.

The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, who is also the new chair of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) said that a "line had been crossed" after the appointment of Bishop Susan Goff of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, as an assisting Bishop of Liverpool. In February, the Episcopalian Church was disciplined by the Church of England for its approval of same-sex 'marriage'.

Twinned with the Liverpool diocese, the Akure diocese has now formally severed its links.

More here-

http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/sexual-orientation/nigeria-severs-link-with-liverpool-over-same-sex-marriage

Way Forward report goes public

From New Zealand-

The long-awaited report of the Way Forward Working Group[1]  has been released.

Today’s publication comes almost 18 months since the 13-member group[2]  began its work – and it proposes two new liturgies to be considered by May’s General Synod.

These liturgies have been designed to allow for the blessing of couples who have been married in a civil ceremony – according either to New Zealand law, or to the law in the Pacific Island nations which form part of this church. These liturgies also create a pathway for the people in such relationships to become ordained.

Civil marriages between a man and a woman have long been recognised in law in both New Zealand and in those Pacific Island nations. In New Zealand’s case, of course, an amendment to marriage law came into effect in August 2013 – which allows same-sex couples to legally marry.

“A crucial matter for debate” 

The Way Forward Working Group (WFWG) report makes a precept-upon-precept case for how such civil marriages could be blessed by the church.

More here-

http://www.anglicantaonga.org.nz/News/General-Synod/Way-Forward

A Pastoral Letter on Marriage and Related Actions of the 78th General Convention

From Albany-

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As many of you are aware, the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church recently voted to change the marriage canon (Canon 1.18), by making all references to individuals being married gender-neutral. In addition, Resolution A054, authorizing the use of specially designed liturgies for the blessing of same gender marriages, was also adopted. With the passage of these two resolutions in conjunction with the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on same gender marriage, the majority voice in The Episcopal Church has opened the door for same gender marriages to occur in those dioceses where the bishop allows them. 

More here-

http://www.albanyepiscopaldiocese.org

Oklahoma's Episcopal leader discusses denomination’s gay marriage vote

From Oklahoma-

The leader of Oklahoma's Episcopalian faith community said he wasn't surprised by the Episcopal Church USA's recent historic vote giving the denomination's clergy permission to perform gay marriages. 

The Rt. Rev. Ed Konieczky, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, said the denomination had been on the path toward such a vote for the last several years and he voted in favor of the same gender marriage resolution. The resolution will go into effect in November.

The vote to allow gay marriage in Episcopal churches across the country occurred July 30 at the Episcopal Church USA's General Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. The measure came just a few days after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalized gay marriage nationwide and it also meant the Episcopal Church joined the Presbyterian Church USA and United Church of Christ denominations in allowing gay marriages in their congregations. 

http://newsok.com/oklahomas-episcopal-leader-discusses-denominations-gay-marriage-vote/article/5433169

Same Sex Marriage, A Holocaust -Anglican Bishop

From Nigeria-

The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Enugu North, Rt. Rev. Sosthenes Eze, has described same-sex marriage in the Anglican community worldwide as a holocaust.

Speaking with newsmen at the end of the 17th National Prayer Convocation of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Owerri, Eze noted that almost all the states in America had consented to the bill on same-sex marriage.

He said that out of 55 countries in Africa, only five, including Nigeria, were yet to give in to same-sex marriage.

More here-

http://www.thetidenewsonline.com/2015/07/08/same-sex-marriage-a-holocaust-anglican-bishop/

Same-sex Blessings in W. Texas

From The Living Church-

The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, Bishop of West Texas, has granted permission to three congregations to bless same-sex couples.

Bishop Lillibridge writes about the decision in a letter to the diocese [PDF]:

I am requiring that both members of the couple seeking a same-sex blessing through the ministry of the Church be in fact members of the Episcopal Church in good standing, and that at least one be a member of the Diocese of West Texas. Since the congregations who are requesting permission state that these blessings are requested for “members of our congregation,” these requirements are consistent with that statement. The priest-in-charge retains the right and responsibility to determine whether any union shall be blessed on church property or under the auspices of the congregation.


More here-


http://www.livingchurch.org/same-sex-blessings-w-texas

Episcopal Diocese of Alabama unveils guidelines for blessing same-sex unions

From Alabama-

The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama has unveiled guidelines for blessing same-sex unions in a document posted on its web site over the weekend.

The revised guidelines will be presented to the annual convention of the Diocese of Alabama, meeting Feb. 6-7 at Christ Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa.

The blessing requires permission from the bishop, after a process that includes approval by the vestry of a parish - local church leadership.

More here-

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/02/episcopal_diocese_of_alabama_u.html

Gay rector faces backlash in pews over ‘wedding’ plans

From The Telegraph-

An Anglican clergyman is facing opposition from parishioners over a service in his local church to bless his same-sex civil partnership.

The Rev Dominic McClean, the Rector of 13 parishes around the village of Market Bosworth in Leicestershire, invited parishioners to the special service this weekend to mark his civil union with his partner, Tony Hodges.

The service, taking place in the 14th Century St Peter’s Church in Market Bosworth on Saturday next week was given a go-ahead by the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, who led the Church of England’s opposition in the House of Lords to the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

But Aubrey Chalmers, a member of the Parochial Church Council in nearby Shackerstone, one of Rev McClean’s parishes, has written in protest both to Bishop Stevens and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, describing the service as “deeply divisive and repugnant to many people”.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11099407/Gay-rector-faces-backlash-in-pews-over-wedding-plans.html

Milwaukee Episcopal bishop opens door to blessing same-sex unions

From Milwaukee-

Two years after the Episcopal Church voted to allow the blessings of same-sex unions, Milwaukee's bishop has opened the door for blessings to take place in his diocese.

But the new rite, created by Milwaukee Bishop Steven A. Miller, will be available only to those couples already married by civil authorities, and only in churches where the vestry, or parish council, signs off on its use.

The decision, outlined by Miller in a letter to clergy dated Aug. 29, appears to be a compromise between the personal convictions of the bishop, who has criticized the rite approved by the national church as deficient, and most of the clergy in the diocese, who had been pushing for him to allow its use locally.

More here-

http://www.jsonline.com/news/religion/milwaukee-episcopal-bishop-opens-door-to-blessing-same-sex-union-b99343177z1-273778251.html

Episcopal Diocese OKs same-sex marriage certificates

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-

Clergy within the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh may now sign civil marriage certificates between same-sex couples, Bishop Dorsey McConnell confirmed in a recent open letter to the diocese.

The action builds on Bishop McConnell’s decision in November 2013 to allow clergy to conduct blessings of same-sex relationships.

At that time, same-sex marriage was not a legal option in Pennsylvania, but Bishop McConnell and diocesan chancellor Andy Roman reviewed civil and canon law after the May 20 federal court decision ruling that same-sex couples be allowed to marry in the state of Pennsylvania.
Read more:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2014/08/05/Episcopal-Diocese-OKs-same-sex-marriage-certificates/stories/201408050134#ixzz39W7YSdbY

Methodists may bless but not marry same-sex couples

From The Church Times (England)

METHODIST ministers who marry a person of the same sex will not risk disciplinary proceedings, after the Methodist Conference agreed to extend the existing policy on civil partnerships to include same-sex marriages.

In addition, churches will be free to offer public blessings for same-sex marriages.

But, in a series of motions, the Conference confirmed that it was not changing its teaching or definition on marriage, and would not seek authorisation to conduct same-sex marriages.

Instead, the Conference set up a working party to oversee a process of "deep reflection and discernment" before reporting back to the Conference in 2016 with recommendations about whether the definition should be revised.

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/11-july/news/uk/methodists-may-bless-but-not-marry-same-sex-couples

Episcopal Bishop grants permission for blessings of same-sex relationships

From South Carolina-

A bishop granted permission Tuesday for priests to bless committed relationships of same-sex couples in the Episcopal Church in South Carolina, a spokesperson said.

The Right Rev. Charles G. vonRosenburg authorized the use of "The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant," giving permission to priests to respond to couples who are in committed relationships, including those who have been married in states where same-sex marriage is allowed, according to Holly Behre, Director of Communications for the Episcopal Church of South Carolina.

South Carolina does not permit same-sex marriage, and any such blessing offered by an Episcopal priest will not constitute a "marriage," Behre said.

No priest is required to offer the blessing, vonRosenburg said in a letter to clergy.

"I do want to be clear that the permission does not define an expectation for clergy," the letter states. "In your own life of prayer and within community, you will decide how to respond to this statement of permission."

More here-

http://www.wistv.com/story/25966290/episcopal-bishop-grants-permission-for-blessings-of-same-sex-relationships

Episcopal board backs same-sex blessings; bishop has concerns

From Milwaukee-

Two years after the Episcopal Church opened the door to same-sex blessings, a local advisory board is urging Bishop Steven A. Miller to allow their use in the Diocese of Milwaukee, saying a majority of area parishes favor allowing them.

Miller said last week that he is reviewing the recommendation of his Standing Committee and will respond later this summer. But he reiterated his reservations, saying the blessing falls short of a marriage rite and as such treats same-sex couples inequitably in the eyes of the church.

"My concern about the rite is that it looks like marriage but says it's not," said Miller, who has voiced support for same-sex civil marriages.

"A blessing still keeps gay and lesbian people in a second-tier status," Miller said.

More here-

http://www.jsonline.com/news/religion/local-episcopal-advisory-board-backs-same-sex-blessings-b99303891z1-265959781.html

Episcopal bishop ponders whether to sanction same-sex blessings

From South West Florida-

Early this year, Episcopal Bishop Dabney Smith stood before a crowd of about 175 people who wanted him to authorize same-sex union blessings.

The meeting, in the parish hall of St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral in downtown St. Petersburg, was of particular significance.

It took place at the "mother church" of Smith's diocese, which stretches from Brooksville to Marco Island and includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Plant City. St. Peter's also is home to an energized group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members with strong support from congregational leaders and parishioners.

More here-

http://www.tampabay.com/news/religion/episcopal-bishop-ponders-whether-to-sanction-same-sex-blessings/2186492

Something new: Same-sex wedding ceremonies at churches

From Chicago-

Church musician Robert Vogler, 62, has participated in his fair share of marriage ceremonies. But none will be more special than the one taking place Sunday. It’s the day marriage equality becomes legal statewide in Illinois. And it’s the day he and his partner of 23 years, Anthony Dobrowolski, will exchange marriage vows in the place they’ve called their church home for two decades. The couple always wanted to get married.“We never had that option, and it didn’t seem like . . . in our lifetime that we ever would,” Vogler said. “When [the law] passed, we decided we’re going to do it, and we wanted to do it on June 1.”

More here-


http://www.suntimes.com/news/27734021-418/something-new-same-sex-wedding-ceremonies-at-churches.html#.U4nBHznDU9U

Churches debate blessing gay couples

From Upper South Carolina-

The bishop presiding over half of South Carolina’s Episcopalians has given permission for clergy to bless the relationships of same-sex couples a little more than a decade since Episcopal churches across the state first began to fracture over the issue of sexual identity.

Ultimately, congregations in the Upstate and the Midlands will make their individual decisions.

They aren’t bound to perform the blessing, which doesn’t carry with it the weight of the ecclesiastical and secular laws of marriage.

More here-

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2014/05/10/churches-debate-blessing-gay-couples/8952581/

Same-sex blessings in Midlands and Upstate Episcopal congregations to be permitted

From Upper South Carolina-

The leader of Midlands and Upstate Episcopalians told clergy Thursday he will permit congregations to perform blessings of same-sex couples, a decision reached after two years of intense theological discussions with pastors and parishioners.

The Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, said no clergy would be required to perform the rite. He said he will support all 61 of his congregations whether they choose to carry out the blessing ritual or not.

Read more here:

http://www.thestate.com/2014/05/08/3435096/bishop-to-permit-same-sex-blessings.html#storylink=cpy