Washington Times: Virginia Episcopal diocese warms to gay unions

Posted by Kendall Harmon

"There is a time to take that step and follow Christ," said Matt Johnson, a delegate from Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains, Va. "I think this is one of those times. Yes, these relationships have integrity and are blessed. For 20 years, we have been talking about this. Let's go do it."

Frank Baxter, 70, a Front Royal resident who said he had been in a 24-year "committed relationship," agreed.

"I would like to see the diocese accept us as full members of this church while we are still on the green side of the grass," he said.

But opponents said the "relationships" could apply to any sexual partnership.

"I can envision that relationship with one of those persons married to someone else," said a male delegate from Church of Our Saviour in Charlottesville. "What do we do about that?"

"I think we're going to open some doors we do not wish to open," said delegate Ann Davis from Louisa. "A 30-something woman told me her understanding of monogamy means 'one at a time.' There is nothing here about these relationships being 'lifelong.' "

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Conflicts • TEC Conflicts: Virginia • TEC Diocesan Conventions/Diocesan Councils • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion) • Same-sex blessings

10 Comments
Posted January 26, 2009 at 12:43 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. chips wrote:

Ya’ll should read the commentary - the link can be found on the rigth hand side ot this article.

January 26, 2:04 pm | [comment link]
2. Phil wrote:

Deep thinking: “For 20 years, we have been talking about this. Let’s go do it.”  Hide the kids: given enough time, anything’s permissible with that logic.

January 26, 2:51 pm | [comment link]
3. Dee in Iowa wrote:

monogamy - new meaning….recently saw the movie “Because I told You So”.....young girl dating two guys, which one to pick was her problem ....BUT, she was sleeping with both…....brave new world out there…..

January 26, 3:49 pm | [comment link]
4. Br. Michael wrote:

4, but she was sleeping with only one at a time, right?  Sounds like monogomy to me.

January 26, 4:04 pm | [comment link]
5. Ad Orientem wrote:

Re #4
I haven’t seen the movie but am reliably informed that Ménage à Trois has become very ‘in’ these days.

January 26, 7:01 pm | [comment link]
6. Br. Michael wrote:

5, Well, why not.  I guess it saves the effort of getting out of bed.

January 26, 7:50 pm | [comment link]
7. Piedmont wrote:

This will not affect our relations in the Sudan. People in the Sudan do - not - care,” she said, spacing her last few words as delegates clapped in agreement. “The people in Sudan would like to stay alive. They think we’re nuts anyway. ... Even though they are in disagreement with us, they are still partners with us in the Gospel. Sexuality is not discussed.”

  Whatever some lesbian priestess says:

I - do - not - care.

January 26, 8:42 pm | [comment link]
8. sophy0075 wrote:

...and this will be coming to conservative dioceses (hello, South Carolina!) and parishes that are still sticking with TEC. I will be amazed if GC2009 does not adopt similar language.

January 26, 11:08 pm | [comment link]
9. Timothy wrote:

If a man and four women were also in a “committed relationship,” then that would be okay too? Is the criteria for marriage a “committed relationship”? Hmmm…

January 27, 1:20 am | [comment link]
10. Statmann wrote:

The diocese of Virginia has had a difficult time from 2002 through 2007, losing 12 percent of its Members and 23 percent of its ASA. And Plate & Pledge declined by 5 percent while inflation was 16 percent. But so much of this was the result of the loss of whole parishes. Also, the diocese has several strong factors: in the area of aging, it is rather young with 1253 Infant Baptisms and 886 Burials. In addition, less than half of its churches are Small (Plate & Pledge less than $150,000). Thus, I would have been ready to predict that its future looked better. No growth, but much less dramatic decline. And then it takes this drastic step. This is what in time series analysis is called an Irregular Factor (unlike Trend or Cycle). The results are most difficult, if not impossible, to predict. One thing is for sure, it is a harbinger of what to expect from GC 2009.    Statmann

January 27, 8:52 pm | [comment link]
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