On this page:
1. Excerpt from Bishop Andrew D. Smith’s 2008 annual address: (and link to full address)
2. Resolution # 8 text (and link to full resolution with list of submitters, explanation, and statements of requirements to implement)
3. Remarks from Bishop Smith following the vote on Resolution #8
4. Excerpt from Bishop Andrew D. Smith’s 2006 annual address (allowing pastoral blessings of civil unions) (and link to full address)
1. Excerpt from Bishop Andrew D. Smith’s 2008 annual address: (and link to full address):
…“A few words about the implications of the decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court this month to broaden the State’s definition of marriage. To offer gay and lesbian couples the right to marry is a significant change which challenges our Church’s historic definition of Christian marriage and poses major questions for our mission and ministry. The Book of Common Prayer assumes that the State’s and the Church’s definition of marriage agree, that they are the same. As of two weeks ago, they no longer do.
“Bishops Ahrens, Curry and I have been looking at three areas of complex questions arising from the Court’s ruling. Are priests ordained in the Episcopal Church permitted to officiate at civil marriages of gay and lesbian couples? What standards of commitment should we have for ordained deacons and priests (or bishops) who are in same-sex relationships? In all things, how can we be the face of Christ, to invite, welcome and pastorally care for seekers and believers who are gay and lesbian, including those who seek to be married?
“I raise these today as questions. And I ask you to think about them with us. Before there can be policy on these matters, we your bishops plan to talk with the bishops of other dioceses where the definition of marriage has been changed. We also want to listen to laity and clergy whose lives are directly affected by the Court’s decision. I have asked my Chancellors to research the civil and canonical questions. And I have asked the Standing Committee of the diocese, as the Bishop’s Council of Advice, also to engage these issues. And as we think on these questions it’s also necessary to remember that we are a member diocese of the Anglican Communion.
“In the meantime, the policies I announced last year for civil unions remain in effect and for now are extended to cover marriage of persons who are in same sex relationships.
“Let us hold each other in generous affection and prayer as we face this change in the historic definition of marriage made by the decision of the Supreme Court of Connecticut.”…
2. Resolution # 8 text (link to full resolution with list of submitters, explanation, and statements of requirements to implement)
“Resolution #8: On allowing clergy to exercise pastoral care in officiating at services of Holy Matrimony for same-sex couples.…
“RESOLVED: That the 224th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut implores the Bishop to allow priests in this Diocese to exercise pastoral wisdom and care and follow the lead of their consciences in whether or not to participate in marriage ceremonies of same sex couples.”…
3. Remarks from Bishop Smith following the vote on Resolution #8 (transcription)
“The clarity of the resolution is that it implores the bishop to allow priests in the diocese to exercise pastoral wisdom and care in their consciences to participate.
“The assumption of the resolution I think is accurate, that permission has not yet been given. And as I said in my address yesterday, the issues are intertwined and very complex in this legislation, and it affects not only us but our standing in The Episcopal Church. I am a person under authority as all ordained people here are, and some of that authority has to do with the constitution and canons of the church.
“I do want to take a look at the questions that are raised -- without question, to take a look at the questions -- and how we move forward. And I do intend to do that in the kind of ways that I have outlined in the address from yesterday.
“There is a lack of clarity in the resolution around the word “participate.” The title of it is “officiating,” but that’s not carried through in the resolution. So even the resolution, to my mind, in my reading, has confusion in it.
“There are a number of issues that I really want to take a look at, and I will. And I want to include clearly the debate at this convention and the vote on the resolution in those deliberations. This is instructive for me, and for the other bishops, as we move ahead.
“But I also have to say at the same time that there are guidelines in place and I do believe that all of us who are ordained are under canonical authority and I want to reiterate that at this time, and ask, as I did in the matter of civil unions, that the ordained priests and bishops of the church follow that regulation, that I believe that we in fact have, from our Prayer Book, which is a product of the constitution of the Episcopal Church.
“There may be a time -- there should be a time -- when that Prayer Book rubric and the canons should be changed. For now, in a hierarchical church, today, we are under that authority. I understand absolutely, I believe, what is embodied in the resolution. And I have to ask patience, time, for us to consider and to move ahead.”
So I thank you for your full debate of this question and ask you to trust in us to continue. And the email is open.”
4. Excerpt from Bishop Andrew D. Smith’s 2006 annual address, allowing pastoral blessings of civil unions (and link to full address)
…“Today’s step is to begin to permit blessing as a pastoral ministry within a congregation.
“When we talk about a pastoral ministry of blessing, we have much to think about and discern. Should clergy officiate at civil unions? I believe that we should not – they are in fact civil unions, and our Church has not made provision in our polity to address the issue. (In fact, as we think about these things, maybe we can rethink whether clergy should officiate as state agents at weddings, and we might back out of the costly, costumed pageant industry that cares more about perfect settings than faith.)
“More questions arise. If a couple lives in Connecticut, should we expect that there has been a commitment in a civil union? I think that yes, there should already be a civil union. Is there a difference between a congregation’s prayer for blessing, and a priest’s pronouncing of blessing? Yes. What criteria should we expect of a couple for giving blessing?. What preparation should there be? How should we proceed if a former civil union has been dissolved?
“As we prepare to take this step, I must be clear that we are not creating or authorizing a new sacrament. Nor are we giving a green light for public ceremonies that look and sound like weddings. Nor am I authorizing any public rite or liturgy.
“What I am inviting us to do is create pastoral and prayerful occasions in which we can gather as Christians to pray and pronounce blessing. So we will be able to offer Christ’s blessing for those same-sex committed partners among us who seek, in faith, the recognition, prayer and support of the Church for their lives as followers and servants of Christ.
“The best place to entrust decisions concerning blessings is locally, with our clergy and the lay leadership of the parishes of the diocese. I do ask that the clergy and lay leaders of any parish of this diocese which discerns that it wishes to offer blessings for same-sex partnerships, first meet to confer with our bishops. This is new ministry, and we will be most effective as we think together and share our experiences.
“For many in our diocese, this change in policy may cause anguish. There also would be anguish if we stay where we are. To open the door for an expanded pastoral ministry of blessing does take us from one unsettled situation and moves us into another. I pray that in this time we will continue to care one for another, and seek to honor and serve one another with the same compassion and forbearance with which Christ cares for us.” …
