Robinson Gives Go-Ahead for Same-Sex Blessings: CEN 6.15.07 p 7. June 15, 2007
Posted by geoconger in Church of England Newspaper, Human Sexuality --- The gay issue, New Hampshire, Windsor Report.trackback
The Bishop of New Hampshire has given his clergy permission to bless same-sex unions. Speaking to the press on May 31 following the signing of a state law in New Hampshire establishing gay civil unions, Bishop Gene Robinson stated he would not compel his clergy to conduct gay blessings, but would leave it up to each priest’s conscience.
“That authority belongs to them and I would not in any way ask them not to do that. … Just like in marriages, every priest will have the option to bless or not to bless,” he said.
Gay civil unions are “not a radical departure,” Bishop Robinson said, according to the Associated Press. “This is a real confirmation of what New Hampshire has always been about: the freedom of its own citizens and fairness for everyone.”
The law will take effect in January 2008. Five states currently permit gay civil unions or domestic partnerships under law, with New Hampshire and two other states having adopted legislation that comes into force this coming year. Bishop Robinson stated he and his partner will take advantage of the new law and enter a civil union.
Paragraph 144 of the Windsor Report requested The Episcopal Church enact a moratorium on public same-sex blessing rites, and recommended “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. Pending such expression of regret, we recommend that such bishops be invited to consider in all conscience whether they should withdraw themselves from representative functions in the Anglican Communion.”
On March 15, 2005 the US House of Bishops pledged to honor the Windsor Report’s request, stating “we pledge not to authorize any public rites for the blessing of same sex unions, and we will not bless any such unions, at least until the General Convention of 2006.”
The Episcopal Church’s 2006 General Convention did not respond to this request of the Windsor Report.
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