Same gender unions for Southern Ohio

Bishop Thomas Breidenthal of Southern Ohio has issued a fifteen page document on "same gender unions," including theological rationale, policies, educational resources, and a trial liturgy.

On the diocesan web-site, the bishop writes:

At our convention in November 2009, I announced my intention to permit the blessing of same-gender unions in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, beginning in Easter of 2010. At that time, I named a task force of clergy and laity whom I asked to assist me in working out the procedures and requirements related to this policy. Here, once again, are the members of the task force: The Rev, Douglas Argue, The Rev. Trevor Babb, The Rev. William Carroll, Joe Dehner, Esq., The Rev. Pam Elwell, The Rev. George Hill, Nanci Koepke, The Rev. Eileen O’Reilly, Dr. Gail Payne, Dr. Don Reed, Dr. Marti Rideout, A. J Stack, and Lisa Wharton, Esq.

As I said at the time, this was not a collection of people who were necessarily eager to see Southern Ohio move in the direction of same-gender unions. Some were; some weren’t. Once gathered, however, they dug into the hard questions with great courage and mutual respect.

This group has gone far beyond my initial request in stating the theological convictions that underlie the policy, in developing a rite of blessing for trial use, and in providing web and print resources for congregational and individual study. I am extremely grateful for their work – not only for its outcome, which will contribute significantly to the Episcopal Church’s reflection on same-gender unions, but also for the charity, honesty and devotion to the Gospel that was so beautifully modeled in their conversations with one another.

Posted by Andrew Gerns on April 9, 2010 9:00 AM | |
Comments (5)

Living into the prophetic tradition -- justice like torrents of water, not watery justice -- is always good though one wonders how many times this wheel will have to be reinvented.

There was a time in the US when slaves couldn't marry or when interracial marriages were forbidden and of course there are still few places in the US where gay people can marry and Ohio isn't one of them. One can only hope this action on the part of the Diocese of Southern Ohio (in which I was confirmed) will help inch the State of Ohio along as well as its sister diocese to the north.

Posted by Paul Woodrum [TypeKey Profile Page] | April 9, 2010 9:44 AM

This is a lovely piece of news to start my day. And I am thrilled to see Fr. Bill Carroll's name on that list. Thanks, for all your good work, Bill+!

Paige Baker

Posted by paigeb [TypeKey Profile Page] | April 9, 2010 10:33 AM

I hope someday we can call it same-sex marriage - gender sounds like some grammar exercise (channeling my English teacher). As per the note in the document - gender is less distracting than sex - tho less accurate. We do have a problem with the word sex. Sets off all sorts of alarming thoughts LOL

Posted by Ann Fontaine [TypeKey Profile Page] | April 9, 2010 12:38 PM

Whereas, Ann, I hope we can call it "marriage", period. [A marriage that just happens to be between a two men OR two women]

Wot Paige said: good on ya' BillC! :-D

JC Fisher

Posted by tgflux [TypeKey Profile Page] | April 9, 2010 9:30 PM

Yes JC -- I agree. And I think the rite offered is great for all marriages

Posted by Ann Fontaine [TypeKey Profile Page] | April 9, 2010 9:49 PM

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