Episcopal Press and News
SAN JOAQUIN: Bishop authorizes same-gender blessings
Episcopal News Service. June 8, 2011 [060811-02]
ENS staff
Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin Bishop Chester Talton has told diocesan clergy that as of the Sunday of Pentecost, June 12, they may bless what a press release called "sacred unions."
The June 7 release said that, following consideration by the diocese's Equality Commission, "the clergy in the Diocese of San Joaquin may perform blessings of same-gender civil marriages, domestic partnerships and relationships which are lifelong committed relationships 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.'"
Talton's authorization notes that because Episcopal Church canons and California law do not allow same-gender marriage, no diocesan priest may solemnize such a marriage until both sets of laws allow such an act, and the diocesan bishop specifically allows such solemnization. No priest is required to bless same-gender relationships, Talton said.
The complete text of the authorization is here. An authorized rite is here.
San Joaquin's decision came in part, the release said, in response to General Convention Resolution C056 which states that "bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this church."
The resolution also called on the church's Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to work with the House of Bishops to collect and develop theological and liturgical resources, and report to the 77th General Convention, which meets July 5-12, 2012, in Indianapolis, Indiana. That work has already begun, including a church-wide consultation held in April in Atlanta.
In October 2009, San Joaquin passed a resolution at its annual convention supporting Resolution C056. After its 2010 convention, the Equality Commission and then-Provisional Bishop Jerry Lamb hosted a forum on the issue of blessing same-gender unions. "The forum was well attended and the sense of the forum was that the diocese is ready to take the next step in full inclusion and support the blessing of these unions," the release said.