Blessing of same sex unions

The Diocese of New Westminster and the Episcopal Church (USA) both took synodical action to authorise public Rites for the Blessing of same sex unions. This has led to tensions within the Anglican Communion and the Archbishop of Canterbury requested that the Lambeth Commission review the matter. The Commission issued a report in October, 2004 recommending a moratorium on public Rites of Blessing of same sex unions and further consideration and study of the matter in preparation for the Lambeth Conference of 2008.

Action by the Diocese of New Westminster

Bishop Ingham issued a rite of blessing of people in committed same sex unions on May 23, 2003. This was done in response to a request by the Diocesan Synod in June, 2002. The diocese considers that the blessing of same sex couples is one part of their work of community outreach and care for parishioners. The blessing is a way that some priests use to ensure that homosexual people who seek to be included in the Anglican Communion feel safe and respected.

The blessing is a “pastoral tool.” Some priests in some parishes (six in all) bless permanent, faithful relationships. Permission is granted by the bishop only when a priest requests it, and a parish has decided by majority vote, that they want to be a place of blessing. Ingham says of the practice:

I insist only that those on all sides of the issue respect one another and that everyone should maintain the order of the church. Our goal in the Anglican Church in the Greater Vancouver area is to be a church that accommodates differences.

Resolution of the Episcopal Church of the USA

C051: Blessing of Committed Same-Gender Relationships. Affirms that our life together is grounded as expressed in the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral; that homosexual persons are children of God, and that differences exist in how best to express that in the pastoral care of those who intend to live in monogamous noncelibate unions; that we expect such relationships to be characterized by fidelity and monogamy; and recognizes "that local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions." Commits us to continued study and discernment, including resources to be compiled by a special commission to be appointed by the Presiding Bishop.

Report of the Lambeth Commission

In its report, known as the Windsor Report, the Commission put forward the following general findings:
:The Commission regrets that without attaching sufficient importance to the interests of the wider Communion:
:*the Episcopal Church (USA) proceeded with the consecration of Gene Robinson
:*the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church (USA) declared that 'local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions'[80]
:*the Diocese of New Westminster approved the use of public Rites for the Blessing of same sex unions
:*the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada issued a statement affirming the integrity and sanctity of committed same sex relationships
:*a number of primates and other bishops have taken it upon themselves to intervene in the affairs of other provinces of the Communion.''

The Commission called for a moratorium on the blessing of same sex unions, and recommended that bishops who have authorised such rites in the United States and Canada "be invited to express regret that the proper constraints of the bonds of affection were breached by such authorisation."

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