Episcopal Press and News
Marriage, Partner Rights, 9/11 Burials Taken up by Executive Council
Episcopal News Service. June 18, 2004 [061804-2]
Matthew Davies
Concerns about the effects of Ohio's new Defense of Marriage Act on plans to hold the 2006 General Convention in Columbus, support for the proper burial of partial remains of World Trade Center disaster victims, and a new churchwide conversation on marriage were brought by the National Concerns committee to the Episcopal Church's Executive Council. The council passed resolutions on those and other issues at its meeting in Burlington, Vermont, June 11-14, 2004.
Proper burial for remains
After the World Trade Center disaster on September 11, 2001, only identified human remains larger than 1 1/4 inches were returned to family members, leaving what were called "fines." Without notice or family permission, the "fines" were deposited at New York City's Fresh Kills landfill and bulldozed with other refuse.
World Trade Center Families for Proper Burial (WTCFPB) [www.wtcfamiliesforproperburial.com], an organization representing some of the families, is working to have all the "fines" removed and placed in containers for eventual burial at an appropriate memorial site.
In a resolution, the council urged appropriate officials of New York City "to enter into sincere and respectful dialogue with WTCFPB, to identify and implement steps to bring solace and resolution to these grieving families."
Among others, the resolution is being sent to Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York, Governor George Pataki of New York, and Governor James McGreevey of New Jersey.
Partner rights are human rights
In response to Ohio's recently enacted Defense of Marriage Act and a proposed amendment to the Ohio State Constitution, which would deny rights and benefits to domestic partners, the council resolved to send a letter of objection to Governor Bob Taft of Ohio, the mayors and directors of the visitor and convention bureaus of Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland, and to the media. The 2006 General Convention is scheduled to be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The letter states the position of the Episcopal Church as expressed by its General Convention, emphasizing that "domestic partner rights are basic human rights."
The council explained that the Act and proposed amendment "go well beyond banning same-sex marriages" and "may prohibit rights for domestic partners being granted by the state and its municipalities, counties, universities, and school districts." The law and amendment may also "prohibit Ohio courts from interpreting and/or enforcing domestic partnership benefits granted by private employers."
Strengthening marriage
Recognizing that much of the church's current discussion of marriage is often "ill informed and polemical," the council resolved to initiate a process that would lead to "a churchwide national conversation on the subject." Some of the key points for discussion would include the theological basis of marriage; the history of marriage as an institution; economics; relations between the church and the state; the societal purposes of marriage; its characteristics; and the dissolution of marriage.
The council is urging dioceses to hold such conversations on marriage and asks the Joint Committee on Planning and Arrangements to schedule a "Conversation on Marriage" during the 75th General Convention in 2006. "The ultimate objective," the council explained, "would be to strengthen the institution of marriage on the basis of such a discussion."
A church involved in worldwide needs
Sandra Swan, president of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), spoke to the council about ERD's ministry and its role in connecting to urgent needs worldwide. "Over the past 5 weeks I have spoken to churches all over America," she said, "and in every case the response has been 'we're thrilled to know that my church is involved.'"
Swan cited Nebraska as an example of positive growth in diocesan involvement. The diocese has just appointed two diocesan ERD coordinators--volunteers appointed by the bishop who then report back to ERD at the Episcopal Church Center. "We are now starting to get younger people who are taking this on as their ministry," she explained.
Responding to questions about whether any money was being withheld from ERD because of current disagreements in the church, Swan reported that Bishop James Stanton of Dallas, one of the dioceses which has opted to withhold money from national mission and program offices, has publicly stated that such withholding should not include funds for ERD. "We're just trying to feed the hungry and heal the sick," Swan said, "and trying very hard not to get into this argument."
Introduced to the council during the meeting, the Rev. Fred Vergara, newly-appointed missioner for Asia/America ministries, said that, despite opposition to the actions of General Convention among Anglicans in Asia, many also feel that it is an issue for the Episcopal Church and not the whole Communion. "It is good to perceive the context in which a community practices its ministry," he said.
Archdeacon Helena-Rose Houldcroft of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle, an observer from the Anglican Church of Canada, also noted to the council that the Episcopal Church is deeply involved in much more than just a single issue, both locally and in the world. "Here is a church that is divided on homosexuality, but of one mind when dealing with issues of justice," she commented. -- Matthew Davies is staff writer of Episcopal News Service