News Analysis
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
January 10, 2011
When the Diocese of Virginia meets January 20-22, high on the list of resolutions will be one affirming "same-gender unions" and another relating to current ecclesiastical wars regarding property issues.Liberals in the diocese want to see the full blessing of same-sex unions and view it as "providing a generous pastoral response" in keeping with General Convention resolution C056 allowing bishops to bless same-sex unions though not necessarily to marry them. (An exception occurred recently in the Diocese of Massachusetts.) Virginia statutes define marriage as between one man and one woman. Voters in seven states, including Virginia, have approved constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage.
Should this resolution pass at the 216th convention, and there is every likelihood that it will, it will place the Diocese of Virginia firmly in the revisionist camp from which there is no immediate return, if at all. It means that the diocese can no longer claim to recognize those of conscience who may disagree with the diocese's position. While it will not be mandated or coercive for a priest to have to perform a same sex blessing, it should be noted that women's ordination was optional until it was made mandatory by General Convention, violating the consciences of traditionalist priests and forcing a number of parishes and dioceses to cede from The Episcopal Church.
