Same-Sex Blessing
Yesterday the Episcopal General Convention approved a blessing ceremony (Resolution A049) in which same-sex couples can now participate in. The liturgy of the ceremony has been in the works since 2009 however is not yet completed. Clergy will have the option to not participate in the ceremony without facing what the Episcopal church described as, "canonical disabilities". The church is recognizing, with a blessing, the commitment which same-sex couples have displayed without any official church acknowledgment.
Before the vote, the house engaged in a complex and lengthy parliamentary discussion following a request to divide the resolution. Ultimately, the resolution was not divided, and deputies voted to approve the whole resolution. Deputies also voted down a request to refer the resolution to the SCLM.
Blessing rite authorized for provisional use from First Advent