N.J. Diocese Expresses Regret for 'Pain Suffered' by Homosexuals
The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey approved a resolution expressing "its deepest regret for the pain and anguish suffered by our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, their families, and friends, due to the adoption of Resolution B033."
Resolution B033 was adopted at the Episcopal Church's 2006 General Convention which resolved to "exercise restraint" by not consecrating candidates whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church.
New Jersey's resolution was passed on March 3, just weeks after the wider Anglican Communion gave the Episcopal Church an ultimatum to not consecrate another gay bishop or authorize official prayers for gay couples. Otherwise, they will face a reduced role in the Anglican family.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Leading up to the diocese's 223rd Convention over the weekend, Bishop George Councell of New Jersey reaffirmed his support for gays and lesbians. He further showed support for New Jersey's new law allowing for same-sex civil unions, which gives homosexual couples the same legal protections as married couples.
The new law "is consistent with the Episcopal Church's long-standing commitment to support equal protection under the law for homosexual persons," said Councell, according to the Episcopal News Service.
The law was passed just as the Anglican Communion concluded a critical Primates meeting and issued a communiqué that called for the Episcopal Church's clear stance on the issue of homosexuality. The Communion had reaffirmed its position that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Scripture while still calling for the pastoral care of all people, regardless of sexual orientation.
However, with the new state law, which made New Jersey the third state in the nation to offer civil unions, Councell went further to call for the pastoral support of same-sex couples.
"I encourage clergy and congregations to offer their pastoral support to such couples, which may include prayers of celebration and thanksgiving for the grace and holiness of their unions," he said. Without authorization from General Convention, however, Councell stopped at allowing clergy to sign New Jersey civil-union licenses.
"We do not at the present time have a consensus about the biblical and theological rationale for such unions in The Episcopal Church or in the Communion," noted Councell, who favors the development of same-sex rites.
While many Episcopal leaders, including Councell, support the full inclusion of homosexuals in all ministries, including the ordained, the majority of the Anglican Communion believes the U.S. wing of Anglicanism is departing from scriptural authority and Anglican tradition.
Some conservative Anglicans in America and overseas have proposed for a separate Anglican orthodox structure in the United States as the Episcopal Church has strained tensions in the global body particularly with the 2003 consecration of an openly gay bishop and its failure to affirm that it would not ordain another homosexual again.
The deadline for the Episcopal Church's response to the recent communiqué is Sept. 30.
