FINAL VERSION
Resolution:C045
Title:Inclusion of All Persons in Life of Church
Topic:Liturgy
Committee:08 - World Mission
House of Initial Action:Deputies
Proposer:Diocese of Michigan

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including transgender, bisexual, lesbian and gay persons are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Church is committed to compliance with Canon III.I.2, which supports the full and equal participation of all persons regardless of sexual orientation in all aspects of the Church's ministries, lay and ordained; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church direct the Commission on Liturgy and Music to develop a liturgical rite for blessing of same sex unions.


EXPLANATION

In 2003, General Convention consented to the election of V. Gene Robinson, a homosexual man living in a committed same-sex relationship, as Bishop of New Hampshire.

In 2004, the Lambeth Commission on Communion issued "The Windsor Report" which, in part, called for "the Episcopal Church (USA) be invited to effect a moratorium on the election and consent to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate who is living in a same gender union…."

In 2006, General Convention, seeking to provide an opportunity to permit the conversation to continue throughout the Anglican Communion, adopted resolution B033 which states, in part "Resolved, That this Convention therefore call upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion."
In the intervening years several of Global South primates have sought to undermine The Episcopal Church by establishing a provincial presence and consecrating bishops within the United States, in clear violation of Lambeth 1988 Resolution 72 which states, in part, "This Conference…reaffirms its unity in the historical position of respect for diocesan boundaries and the authority of bishops within these boundaries…."

     In 2008, many of the primates and bishops of the Anglican Communion who expressed the strongest objections to the election and consecration of Bishop Robinson effectively prevented the dialogue sought by General Convention 2006 in resolution B033 by boycotting the 2008 Lambeth Conference.
Canon III.1.2 states, in part: "No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons."