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Communication
Church Locater
Report of the Task Force on Holiness in Relationships and the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions
Dear Friends in Christ,
In February of 2008, at the 34th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, a resolution was adopted calling upon me to appoint a “theologically diverse Task Force of clergy and lay people reflective of the diocese to study Holiness in Relationships and Blessings in Churches of this Diocese…” In the spring of that year, the Task Force was appointed and I appointed the Rev. Robert Nagy and Suzanne Foucault as co-chairs.
For over a year, this remarkable group of people - male, female; clergy, lay; gay, straight – of rural and urban settings, mission congregations, and program-size parishes, came together to listen, study, pray, and discuss their understanding and experience of their faith. Over time, they became a community. It is a community that remains divided on the issues of human sexuality and whether or not the Episcopal Church should permit same sex couples to receive the Church’s blessing. Nevertheless, they have compiled an impressive curriculum for our diocese and the wider church. They have also modeled a way to come together and allow community to be strengthened through honest conversation and respectful disagreement.
Indeed, they have exhibited holiness in the relationships that grew out of their work together. I now offer to our diocese their work. In the weeks ahead, the Task Force will be offering teams to facilitate similar conversations in each of our congregations. It is my hope that these conversations will not only be a part of the listening process commended throughout the Communion regarding homosexuality, but it will also be the place where our churches grow in their abilities to handle conflictual issues.
Finally, it is my hope that this work will be used beyond our diocese. I know that members of the Task Force are ready to assist other dioceses in similar efforts. Those interested in making such a connection need only contact my office.
It is with gratitude for the literally thousands of hours of work by members of our Task Force that I offer you their gift. It is indeed “the gifts of God for the people of God.”
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes
Bishop of San Diego
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Report of the Task Force on Holiness in Relationships and the Blessing of Same-Sex Relationships (pdf)
Download the 82-page report here.