We are rapidly approaching a time when same sex blessings will become the norm for not only California but for all the Episcopal Church and most of the Anglican world (communion if you please). For some reason we are struggling with just the right words and just the right ritual and just the right everything to be inclusive. Does anyone know that by doing this we appear to be setting up separate but equal arrangements. Does this lead the Episcopal Church to LGBT restrooms and LGBT drinking fountains and LGBT coffee hours? I am hoping not.
See, here is the thing. We do not have separate rite for Baptism for LGBT members of our community. We do not have a separate rite for communion for LGBT members, we do not even have a separate rite for ordination or for that matter consecration of bishops that are LGBT.
So, why are we doing this with same sex blessings. Is this not obvious enough that we can simply use the existing blessing of a marriage found on page 423? Certainly makes sense to me. If the couple wants to alter the wording then let them go ahead and do so but the basics are all right there. We do not need to isolate and separate our LGBT members for the purpose of blessing their union. Can we just get with it, please.
Opinion – 20 April 2024
1 hour ago
2 comments:
Well, Fred, i feel uniquely able to comment being one half of a same sex married couple who was blessed in the church.
I agree that the rite "Blessing of a Civil Marriage" would be appropriate for a married couple as us. But, another couple that was blessed was not married previously, and filed their DP papers at the same time as their blessing. It's a different thing, if you are already married or not.
And what do you do if you live in a state (e.g., Virginia) that recognizes neither marriage nor civil unions/domestic partnerships?
You would not bless a straight couple who does not have a legal recognition of their partnership. Should you do that for gay couples? What option is there?
THere is only one solution. Civil Marriage equality.
IT,
you area absolutely correct. The post here assumes that there will be Civil Marriage equality, as I beleive there indeed will be. The dust needs to settle (and I pray quickly) so that everyone can get on with their lives. Once that happens, there is no need for a "separate" rite.
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