Explanation

For over forty (40) years The Episcopal Church has been discussing the place of same-sex couples in its common life. During this time, some dioceses and congregations gradually began offering liturgical blessings of the lifelong monogamous relationships of same-sex couples. In 2000, the General Convention adopted Resolution D039 (subsequently reaffirmed by successive General Conventions) expressing the Church’s understanding and expectation that marriage and other life-long committed relationships “will be characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God.” The 2012 General Convention authorized liturgical resources for “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” (Resolution 2012-A049), and three (3) years later the 2015 General Convention authorized the trial use of two (2) liturgies for marriage, available for use by all couples (“The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage” and “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage 2”), as well as the continued use of “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” (Resolution 2015-A054). With the June 2015 United States Supreme Court decision permitting the civil marriage of same-sex couples anywhere in the United States, same-sex couples have been able to have their marriages solemnized in domestic dioceses of The Episcopal Church in conformity with both the laws of the State and the Canons of the Church (Canon I.18.1). “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” allows the blessing of same-sex couples in civil jurisdictions where their marriage is not permitted by civil law, and authorization for use of this liturgy is not changed by these provisions for trial use of liturgies for marriage. In a survey of U.S. dioceses in 2017, the Task Force on the Study of Marriage learned that ninety-three (93) Bishops with jurisdiction authorized the trial use of the marriage liturgies. Seventy-three (73) of those bishops authorized their use with no conditions. Twenty (20) bishops authorized their use with some conditions. Of those twenty (20), twelve (12) required Vestry approvals, two (2) required Vestry approval and permission of the Bishop, one (1) required approval of the Bishop, two (2) required a parish discernment process and three (3) authorized only one of the available rites. Eight (8) bishops did not allow the trial use of the marriage liturgies. These liturgies have been widely used throughout the Church, and this resolution brings these liturgies before this Convention for continued trial use, with additional proposed revisions of The Book of Common Prayer [BCP]. This resolution authorizes additions to the Book of Common Prayer, including, 1. Two (2) liturgies for marriage available to all couples: “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage” and “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage 2” 2. “The Blessing of a Civil Marriage 2” 3. “An Order for Marriage 2,” a flexible order of service similar to “An Order for Marriage” in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (pp. 435-36). These liturgical materials would be authorized for trial use in accordance with Article X of the Constitution of The Episcopal Church and Canon II.3.6. “Trial use” means that the Church is considering these for inclusion in The Book of Common Prayer. To be added to the Prayer Book, two (2) successive General Conventions must authorize the liturgies in identical form. As additions to the Prayer Book, these liturgies would not replace the current BCP liturgies “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage,” “The Blessing of a Civil Marriage,” and “An Order for Marriage.” Canon II. 3.6(a) allows General Convention to specify any special terms or conditions under which such trial use shall be carried out. This resolution requires bishops exercising ecclesiastical authority (or, where appropriate, ecclesiastical supervision) to make provision for all couples asking to be married in this Church to have reasonable and convenient access to these trial liturgies. During the period of trial use, the liturgies and other revised materials would be published in “Liturgical Resources 2,” but they would not appear in new printings of The Book of Common Prayer. The 80th General Convention, in 2021, could 1) extend the period of trial use, 2) adopt these additions and alterations, at which time they would be added to future printings of the BCP or 3) determine some other course of action. In addition to the liturgies to be added to The Book of Common Prayer, this resolution would change one (1) rubric and add one (1) liturgical text in order to recognize marriage between same-sex couples. The description of marriage in the section “Concerning the Service” (BCP p. 422) would be revised to state that marriage is a covenant between “two people” rather than between “a man and a woman.” An additional Proper Preface for use at a nuptial Eucharist is proposed for both Rite I and Rite II. The Catechism would also be revised to state that Christian marriage involves “two people,” rather than “the man and the woman.” A second question about marriage would be added (just as a second question about Confirmation explains the requirements of those to be confirmed) to indicate the Canonical requirements for marriage, including instruction in the purposes of Christian marriage. This resolution provides guidance for implementing trial use. Given that we are now considering revision of The Book of Common Prayer, it is important as ever that bishops provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of the Church and that they lead the Church in engaging with these materials. The provisions acknowledging that any member of the clergy may decline to solemnize or bless a marriage (Canon I.18.7) and that the provisions regarding marriage after divorce (Canon I.19.3) apply to the use of the trial liturgies were also in the 2015 Resolution, along with an assurance that no one in the Church, lay person, bishop, priest, or deacon, shall suffer any coercion or penalty because of theological support for or opposition to the blessing or marriage of same-sex couples. The final resolve provides the mechanism for publishing and making this material available to the Church.