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Holiness in Relationships

Report of the Task Force on Holiness in Relationships and the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions

Download the 82-page report here:

Report of the Task Force on Holiness in Relationships and the Blessing of Same-Sex Relationships (pdf)

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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

Task Force to Study Holiness in Relationships

The Task Force has been formed. They will present the results of their work at Convention 2009. Thank you for your interest.

RESOLUTION 08-09

Title: A Resolution Urging the Bishop to Form a Task Force to Study Holiness in Relationships and Blessings in Churches of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.

Be It Resolved that the Bishop of the Diocese of San Diego is urged 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 from the perspectives of holy scripture, church history and tradition; practical, pastoral and sacramental theology; and the movement of the Holy Spirit; and then prepare an academic paper on the subject to be presented to the 2009 Convention of the Diocese of San Diego, with additional recommendations as that Task Force might deem appropriate.

Be it Further Resolved, in advance of the presentation at convention, workshops be promoted throughout the diocese to engage congregations in this work and mission.

EXPLANATION OF RESOLUTION:

Whereas much of the conflict in the Episcopal Church concerns the issue of holiness in relationships, and

Whereas the Order for Marriage found in the Book of Common Prayer states that Christian marriage is between a man and a woman, and

Whereas, there are persons in the Episcopal Church (gay and lesbian, seniors and others constrained by financial concerns) who are in committed, monogamous relationships who wish to have their relationships blessed in the church by a clergy person, and

Whereas there are persons in the church, who because of their understanding of scripture and what constitutes a faithful life are opposed to such blessings occurring in the church, and

Whereas liturgical practices surrounding the blessing of unions are not consistent throughout the greater church, and

Whereas the House of Bishops in their September 25, 2007 response to “questions and concerns raised by our Anglican Communion partners,” noted that the 1998 Lambeth Conference called on provinces of the Anglican Communion to engage in a “listening process” designed to bring all Anglicans fully into the Church’s conversation about human sexuality and holy relationships, and

Whereas engaging in such a listening process is a fundamental step before engaging in any action on the matter.