Church Times—‘Respectful’ hearing for debate over proposed rites for same sex unions

Posted by Kendall Harmon

Participants [at the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation] came from 19 An­glican provinces, including Brazil, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and the Southern Cone. Topics included theology, cultural contexts, and the shape and elements of ritual. Papers were delivered by the Bishop of Central Tanganyika, the Rt Revd Mdimi Mhogolo, and by the Revd Dr Simon Jones, of Merton College, Oxford.

Dr Jones drew attention to the particular issues faced by Church of England clergy who frequently have to deal with couples presenting themselves for marriage in church, neither of whom are baptised, or attend church regularly.

Bishop Mhogolo explained that Christian missionaries who came to Tanzania had paid no attention to traditional Tanzanian marriage-customs, in which washing and anointing rather than rings and vows were the principal symbols.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Anglican Provinces • Anglican Church of Tanzania • Episcopal Church (TEC) • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion) • Same-sex blessings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Liturgy, Music, Worship • * Culture-Watch • Sexuality • --Civil Unions & Partnerships

5 Comments
Posted August 26, 2011 at 6:44 am [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Robert Lundy wrote:

This seems to contradict what others have said about this meeting.

August 26, 8:37 am | [comment link]
2. francis wrote:

Not necessarily.  Respectful, but direct and frank.

August 26, 12:02 pm | [comment link]
3. Ross Gill wrote:

I find it interesting at the bottom of the article that readers are asked to vote on a rather sneaky question “Should blessings of civil partner­ships be modelled on the marriage service?”  It seems to be a foregone conclusion that blessings of civil partnerships will proceed.  It’s just a matter now of deciding the liturgical format. By voting one is essentially agreeing that civil partnerships should be blessed.

Ross

August 26, 12:48 pm | [comment link]
4. Robert Lundy wrote:

It seems like this is just “spin” by revisionist. The Church of England Newspaper tells a different version of events. http://geoconger.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/anglican-liturgical-group-rejects-american-push-for-gay-blessings-the-church-of-england-newspaper-aug-17-2011-p-5/

August 26, 12:58 pm | [comment link]
5. Bookworm(God keep Snarkster) wrote:

Other than the usual levers used to get their way, I don’t see why a “yes” to civil partnerships or civil marriage implies, denotes, or entitles one to an automatic church(in most of our cases, Christian) marriage.  In most churches, marriage is not a “right” for straights, either and conducted solely at the direction of the pastor/priest/bishop/other clergy.  I have in mind the exception of the RC priests, who are obligated to conduct a RC wedding for RCs in good standing.  Others can weigh in on how other faiths(besides Anglican) may do it. 

Or are we looking to completely redefine the sacrament at will?  All baptized Christians have sacramental access, but to the marriage sacrament AS IT IS CURRENTLY DEFINED; one-man, one-woman.

August 26, 3:24 pm | [comment link]
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