Resolution 2011 Diocese of Connecticut

		Integrity/Connecticut’s Sponsoring Parish Trinity Episcopal Church 120 Sigourney Street Hartford, CT, 06105
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Goals and Objectives Education Advocacy Marriage Equality Alternative Rites for Same Sex Marriage Where Clergy May Officiate Same-Sex Marriages Promoting Respect and Dignity Leadership It Gets Better Project Meetings - Media Library - Archive Schedule of Meetings & Special Events Eucharist & Evening Prayer By-Laws Media Library & Archives Events & Conferences Bishop's Visitation Personal and Family Values Lambeth Conference Diocese of Connecticut Convention Resolutions - General Convention Previous Events Issues and Perspectives History of Civil Rights in the Church Living with Leviticus Marriage vs Civil Unions Dialogue - 30+ years and counting... State and Federal Initiatives Links Integrity USA Episcopal Links Other Links Directions and Maps Contact Us Driving Instructions & Maps Parking Options Finding your way around Trinity	A primary goal of our Integrity Chapter is to bring about Marriage Equality in the Diocese of Connecticut. The videos on this page explore the historical context of marriage and illustrate how marriage inequality affects the relationships between same sex couples, their clergy and their church community. Our goal was advanced a major step forward with the passage of Resolution #6: Permitting the clergy of the Diocese of Connecticut to voluntarily officiate marriages of same sex couples during the Diocese of Connecticut's 227th Convention on October 21, 2011. Our efforts were inspired by the many gay and lesbian couples who have been denied being able to receive the Marriage Rites which are available to same sex couples. The videos presented below were created as a way of sharing their story and exposing the injustice. A Call for Marriage Equality in the Diocese of Connecticut - Presents the human side of same sex couples not being permitted to be married by their clergy in the Diocese of Connecticut. History of Marriage in the Church Presented by Dr. Frank Kirkpatrick, noted author and Professor of Religion discusses scriptural and historical underpinnings of marriage and how they relate to marriage of same and opposite sex couples. The Rev. Donald Hamer Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church Hartford speaks to the issue of not being able to marry same sex couples and how this affects their relationship with their clergy, their church and their church family. Same sex couples journeys Linda & Christine who were denied use of their home Church for their wedding, but were joined by their church family and wed in a nearby Congregational Church, witness to the pain and joy of being Episcopalians. Alex & Ryan discuss the sacramental aspects of marriage including learning about grace, forgiveness and reconciliation and reflect upon the injustice of not being able to be married by an Episcopal Priest. Opposite sex couples on Marriage Equality Enid & Tom share how their wedding was a spiritual affirmation of their relationship and ask the question that if the greatest of the commandments is to love one another where is the love in barring some from the sacrament of marriage while allowing it for others. Linda & Mark believe their wedding was all about making promises before God, each other and their church community and strongly believe that it is equally important that it available in the same way to same sex couples. The following resolution developed by Integrity Connecticut and sponsored by supportive clergy and lay delegates was submitted for action by of the 277th Convention of the Diocese of Connecticut on October 21-22 2001 and was passed in the following form by a broad majority of the delegates present. Resolution #6: Permitting the clergy of the Diocese of Connecticut to voluntarily officiate marriages of same sex couples Submitted by: The Reverend Jane White-Hassler, Beverley Manning, the Rev. Joseph Krasinski, the Rev. Alex Dyer, the Rev. Richard A. Maxwell, the Rev. Donald L. Hamer, the Rev. Jervis Zimmerman, the Rev. Frank Kirkpatrick, the Rev. Julie Kelsey, the Rev. Joseph L. Pace, Rose Fichera-Eagen, the Rev. Dr. Molly O’Neill Louden, the Rev. Scott Lee, the Rev. Robert C. Hooper III, the Rev. Tracey J. Russell, the Rev. Linda M. Spiers, the Very Rev. Mark B. Pendleton; Contact: the Rev. Jane White-Hassler, jwhassler@gracechurchnew.org or 860-666-3331 - Other individuals who have asked to appear as sponsors of this resolution include: Beverley Manning RESOLVED: That the 227th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut urges the Bishop of Connecticut to acknowledge that there are people living in same-gender relationships of mutuality and fidelity who want to be married by their clergy; and be it further RESOLVED: That the Bishop of this Diocese may permit the clergy of the Diocese to determine the appropriate generous pastoral response to meet the needs of the members of his or her own local Eucharistic community, including officiating at weddings of same-sex couples and acting as legal agents of the State in signing marriage licenses. How does this resolution further God’s mission of restoration and reconciliation with all of creation? As all lesbian and gay people are a part of God’s creation - having been created by God, in God’s image - it is God’s mission, and the Church’s, to work for their restoration and reconciliation in the Church. That work is impeded when the Church fails to celebrate, bless, and hold accountable in community, the relationships of fidelity, mutuality and service that they form. And it is not only the restoration and reconciliation of lesbian and gay people that is impeded; it is the restoration and reconciliation of the whole Church. Explanation: Our Baptismal Covenant calls upon us to “strive for justice and peace among all people” and to “respect the dignity of every human being” and we are ever mindful this is an unending process. Passage of this resolution will represent a major step forward in promoting equality and justice for all. The rubrics of “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage” in the current Book of Common Prayer instruct, in part, that “one, at least, of the parties must be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church. A priest or a bishop normally presides at the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, because such ministers alone have the function of pronouncing the nuptial blessing, and of celebrating the Holy Eucharist.” Resolution #8 of the 224th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut in 2008 “implore[d] 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.” While this resolution passed, Bishop Andrew Smith remarked, “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.” No further action regarding these matters has been taken at any diocesan convention since 2008. Following the last General Convention, in a July 2009 Associated Press article, Suffragan Bishop James Curry was asked about the issue of same sex marriage and he stated, “We certainly feel a deep need to be able to proclaim the love of God in the midst of a changing reality.’’ The clergy of this Diocese need to be able to respond to this changing reality by officiating at same-sex marriages, which are now legal in the State of Connecticut. Countless faithful Episcopalians are asking that their church provide the pastoral support and blessing of the church for their marriages. The rubrics of The Book of Common Prayer require that, in part, "the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church.” (BCP, 422) This present situation requires a generous and flexible response that offers clergy the ability to make appropriate pastoral decisions in consultation with their congregations, and if necessary with the bishop. There are clergy and congregations that have no desire to participate in the blessing of a civil marriage. But in those places where there is such a will, the freedom to offer this pastoral response is crucial. The Book of Common Prayer makes provision for special devotions that may be used when services in the Prayer book do not address the needs of the congregation (BCP, 13). Such devotions are subject to the direction of the bishops. Much has changed since the 2008 Diocesan Convention, both in Connecticut and The Episcopal Church. Adoption of this resolution is the conclusion of The Episcopal Church’s progression toward marriage equality for same-sex couples and the laws within the state of Connecticut. The following is a list of General Convention Resolutions and State of Connecticut legislative and judicial actions: The 1976 General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted Resolution A-69 which stated “that homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church." The 1985 General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted Resolution D082 which stated “The 68th General Convention urge each diocese of this Church to find an effective way to foster a better understanding of homosexual persons, to dispel myths and prejudices about homosexuality, to provide pastoral support, and to give life to the claim of homosexual persons "upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral care and concern of the Church." The 1988 Lambeth Conference passed a resolution asking each Province to reassess its attitude toward gays and lesbians. The 2000 General Convention of The Episcopal Church voted to acknowledge and protect same-sex couples in the church: "That we acknowledge that while the issues of human sexuality are not yet resolved, there are currently couples in the Body of Christ and in this Church who are living in marriage and couples in the Body of Christ and in this Church who are living in other life-long committed relationships." In 2005, Connecticut legalized Civil Unions for same-sex couples. In 2007, Bishop Andrew Smith permitted to clergy to bless Civil Unions. On October 10, 2008 the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that denying gays the right to marry was against the equality and liberty rules in the Connecticut Constitution. The same decision also held that it would be unconstitutional to relegate same-sex couples to a status less than full marriage by enacting legislation treating same-sex unions as civil unions rather than as marriage. On April 22, 2009 Connecticut lawmakers in both the House (vote 100-44) and the Senate (vote 28-7) agreed to repeal all the previous marriage laws and fully replace them with genderless quotes and all references to marriage that will be fully gender-neutral. Former Governor Jodi Rell signed the law on April 23. In 2009 General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted resolution C056 which stated “That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church. On October 1, 2010, civil unions ceased to be provided and existing civil unions were automatically converted into marriages in the State of Connecticut. Same-sex marriages, civil unions and broad domestic partnerships from other jurisdictions are legally treated as marriages in Connecticut. Currently, the Diocese of Connecticut permits clergy to officiate at weddings of opposite sex couples but prohibits them from officiating at weddings of same sex couples thereby creating a separation within the Church. This practice prohibits all faithful same-sex couples who are living in committed loving relationships within our churches the right to have their clergy officiate at their same sex weddings. This treatment is unequal, hurtful and disrespectful to our same sex brothers and sisters and places an unnecessary strain on pastoral relationships and their relationship with The Episcopal Church, their diocese, and their clergy. Convention delegates interested in viewing a video presenting a historical context and illustrating how this issue affects same sex couples, their clergy and their church community are urged to visit: www.IntegrityConnecticut.org/marriage. Requirements to Implement the Resolution: There will be no cost to the diocese – time or material – associated with the resolution.