Albany Diocese: New Canons Reaffirm Traditional Marriage
Saturday night after the conclusion of business at the Albany diocesan convention, Bishop Harold Miller of the Church of Ireland of the Diocese of Down and Dromore (dressed casually on a very warm and humid evening) addresses a healing service and speaks of the power of God in Christ to heal today much as our Lord did in the days of the apostles.(photo by Raymond Dague)
The following canonical provisions were added to the Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany by the adoption of two resolutions on June 7, 2008 in Speculator, New York at the annual diocesan convention. The vote on both resolutions was conducted by orders, and both resolutions were passed by an overwhelming majority of both the clerical and lay deputies approving these amendments.
-Raymond Dague, Albany Assistant Chancellor
Convention Resolution # 5
Celebration or Blessing of Marriages by Clergy
Members of the Clergy Resident in or Licensed to Serve in this Diocese shall neither officiate at, nor facilitate, nor participate in, any service, whether public or private, for the Celebration or Blessing of a Marriage or any other union except between one man and one woman. Unions other than those of one man and one woman in Holy Matrimony, even if they be recognized in other jurisdictions, shall be neither recognized nor blessed in this Diocese.
Marriages on Church Property
Properties owned, controlled, managed, or operated by this Diocese, or any Parish of the Diocese, or any legal entity established by the Diocese or a parish of the Diocese, shall not be the site for any service, public or private, for the Celebration or Blessing of a Marriage or any other union except those between one man and one woman.
Convention Resolution # 6
Standards for Ordination and Consecration
To be eligible to be ordained to the Diaconate or Priesthood, or consecrated a Bishop, a person must live within the covenant of Marriage between one man and one woman, or be celibate and abstinent.
Standards for Election, Appointing, and Licensing
To be eligible to be elected, appointed or licensed to any position of ordained ministry in the Diocese, a member of the clergy must live within the covenant of Marriage between one man and one woman, or be celibate and abstinent.
Albany Times Union Article: Diocese rules on gay unions
Albany Episcopal resolution affirms defense of traditional marriage; critics call measure divisive and discriminatory
By MARC PARRY Staff writer
Sunday, June 8, 2008
SPECULATOR -- The conservative-led Episcopal Diocese of Albany staked out a firm defense of traditional marriage on Saturday, a move that comes as gay unions have gained new ground in California and New York.
The hundreds of clergy and lay delegates who converged for their annual convention in this lakeside Adirondack community resoundingly approved a resolution that lays down this rule: Only heterosexual marriages can be celebrated in the diocese. the rest
posted by Pat Dague @ 3:02 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
"I do not believe homosexuality is a sin," said Nancy Stewart of the Church of the Redeemer in Rensselaer.
Sounds like personal revelation rather than any scriptural, or traditional consideration of sexuality.
Copy of letter to the editor just sent to the Times Union, Albany:
In regard to Marc Parry’s article, “Diocese Rules on Gay Unions”, in the Times Union on Sunday, June 8. As the article states, the resolution passed which mandates that “only a person who is in a heterosexual marriage or celibate and abstinent” is eligible for ordination. The national Episcopal Church, of which this diocese is still a member, does not discriminate in the discernment or ordination process based on sexual orientation. This resolution, then, may well be judged to be contradictory with national canon. And because the rule that only heterosexual marriages can be celebrated “already existed in practice,” its elevation to local canon was unnecessary and a slap in the face to our faithful gay members, who are reminded thereby of their second-class status in this diocese. Thankfully, there are a few parishes within the diocese that are affirming and welcoming. The parish that I belong to is one of the few.
John White
Layperson
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Albany
Repent.............
Anon,
Actually,... Repent, and believe in the gospel
John,
If your authority is not the scripture and the tradition of the church, reason which is untethered to the other two can take the mind almost anywhere, even to calling sin a state of grace. Sadly that is what Albany Via Media represents.
Fighm argue, fight argue.. No wonder so many in outr society do not wnat to be Christian.. all we do is tear each other apart..and make second class citizens of anyone who doesnt : lokk or act or even believe like us".. Thats something to repent of!
It would be better than fight and argue to rally around the mission priorities that were given to us by Jesus. Unfortunately, the liberals of pecusa would rather support imperatives given by secular society rather than Christ like issues of human sexuality. Then pecusa makes U.N. goals more important than what Jesus taught is most important - seeking and saving the lost. Given that pecusa is a house divided and moving further and further away from Jesus, what can we expect beyond fighting and arguing?
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