Bishop Stanton: Reflections on the House of Bishops’ Meeting

http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/6405/

[Stand Firm] 27 Sep 2007--When Draft 1 was presented, it was immediately recognized by many on both sides of the issue that no assurance was being given. Indeed, it was pointed out that the last sentence constituted a “red flag” – making a point that seemed to contradict what assurance one could read into the statements above it.

Furthermore, it appeared to many that the quotation from the Primates was leading into the conclusion that such blessing rites as were in use were therefore justified – a conclusion which the Primates Communiqué does not bear! Considerable discussion took place on how to rectify this matter, with a majority opting to eliminate the sentence altogether. Draft 2 does in fact eliminate the sentence. But does it give any additional clarity on this matter? The final resolution seems once again to restate the obvious, that no liturgies have been approved. It adds only that the majority of bishops in The Episcopal Church “do not make allowance for the blessing of same‐sex unions.” And again, the resolution quotes from the Primates with respect to the need to provide “pastoral care.” The net effect, it would appear, is to suggest that the Primates themselves are unclear.

This final form of the second “response” is unsettling in that it falls short of the clarity requested.