Massachusetts Opts for More Study on Marriage
The Living Church
11/02/2006

The Diocese of Massachusetts approved three marriage-related resolutions when its convention met Oct. 27-28 at Trinity Church, Boston.

The most controversial of the resolutions, which garnered national media attention, would have expressed the convention's sentiment “that beginning January 2008, Episcopal marriages be presided over by an agent of the state” and that the clergy's role “be limited to the blessing of the union as a holy act.” That resolution was replaced by a substitute that called for the diocese to engage in “study and dialogue about the nature of Christian marriage and civil marriage in order to clarify and articulate our understanding of the theology and ethics of Christian marriage.”

In presenting the substitute, the Rev. Margaret “Mally” Lloyd of Christ Church, Plymouth, who was one of five clergy who submitted the original resolution, said that after listening to much pre-convention discussion generated by the original resolution, its sponsors realized “more listening and theological debate in different forums” was necessary before decisive action could be taken on the issue. the rest