A Message from the Bishop

Note: The House of Deputies on Wednesday concurred with the House of Bishops on two resolutions that provide two new marriage liturgies for trial use, and change the canon regarding marriage. An Episcopal News Service article on these changes can be found here. Bishop vonRosenberg voted in favor of these resolutions, A054 and A036, and the South Carolina deputation was unanimous in voting for them.

From Bishop vonRosenberg:

One of the actions of General Convention, meeting in Salt Lake City, includes changes made to our church canon on marriage. In terms of timing, this change will take effect on Advent I (November 29, 2015). Therefore, we have some time to prepare for this change and to anticipate its effects. This, then, is my initial communication to our diocese about the matter, but as we continue to pray, confer, and plan, it surely will not be the last one.

At the outset, we clearly affirm the presence and participation of faithful gay and lesbian Episcopalians who have been important participants in the mission and ministry of our church through the years. Of course, that affirmation has not always been the case. By this action at General Convention, we repent of previous exclusion, and we indicate our intention to practice full inclusion in the future.

In addition, this canonical change renews our commitment to continue to engage the society into which God has called us. The Episcopal/Anglican tradition calls us into such dialogue with our world and with the particular context in which we are blessed to live. As we know, the law of the land has changed in terms of marriage. This canonical modification keeps The Episcopal Church in the conversation about marriage in our society, and it indicates our intention to position ourselves within the flow of history on this matter.

As has always been the case, a clergy person may choose to decline to officiate at any marriage. Thus, it is important to understand that this canonical change gives permission to officiate at same-sex marriages, but it does not indicate that clergy must do so. In other words, the change in canons is permissive but not directive in nature.

Another aspect of this canonical change – one that is frankly unpredictable – involves the effect it may have on our church's relationship with other bodies. As we know, The Episcopal Church itself includes dioceses outside this country, and in some of those places, same-sex marriage is not the law of the land. In those cases, the liturgy for blessings will continue to be available, but the liturgies for same-sex marriage will not be applicable.

Further challenges will emerge in our ecumenical relationships, and in those within the Anglican Communion. Once again in the United States – our context in the Christian journey – we find ourselves in the forefront of social change. This position can be exciting, or it can be lonely and uncomfortable. Sometimes it is all of those things. Our call as The Episcopal Church is to be faithful – faithful, first of all, to God as revealed in Christ and as known through the Holy Spirit; faithful to the Spirit’s movement in our particular time and place; and faithful to the commandment of our Lord to love God, neighbor and self, with the open heart of Jesus himself.

- The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg