Bishop releases statement interpreting “pastoral generosity”
From AAC
Questions recently have been raised regarding Bishop Ted Gulick's interpretation of the 2009 General Convention's resolution (C056) on "Liturgies for Blessings," approved last summer by the House of Deputies and House of Bishops. The resolution asks The Episcopal Church leaders to gather and create "theological and liturgical resources" for same-gender blessings for future consideration by General Convention and, in the meantime, to allow bishops to permit their clergy "to provide generous pastoral response" to gay and lesbian Episcopalians who wish to affirm their partnerships, especially those residing in dioceses in which same-sex civil unions are legal. Last fall Bishop Gulick met with the diocese's clergy to discuss how "pastoral generosity" should be practiced in the diocese.
Bishop Gulick provided the following statement offering his interpretation of "pastoral generosity," informed to a large extent by his conversation with the clergy.
My Present Interpretation of Pastoral Generosity and Same-gender Blessings
In the early fall following our recent General Convention, I asked the clergy of our diocese to have a discussion with me around actions taken in the summer by the governing body of The Episcopal Church.
Specifically, I asked them to describe what "pastoral generosity" would look like for gay and lesbian Episcopalians who desire some form of liturgy around their partnerships, and I also asked them to reflect on what "pastoral generosity" would look like for those who have theological and pastoral issues with same-gender partnerships.
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