From YBYHAMK@ip3gate.usa.comMon Feb 26 10:48:34 1996 Date: Sat, 24 Feb 1996 16:47:01 -0500 From: YBYHAMK@ip3gate.usa.com To: LCREW@andromeda.rutgers.edu Subject: Part 2 THE TRIAL OF BISHOP WALTER RIGHTER A FACT SHEET Presented by Integrity, Inc. Local dialogue on sexuality issues (D-120s) "... this 69th General Convention affirm that the Biblical and traditional teaching on chastity and fidelity in personal relationships is a response to, and an expression of, God's love for each of us; and that all Christians are called to be exemplary in all spheres of morality, including sexual morality; and that holiness in life is particularly required of Christian leaders. "... this Convention, responsive to the call of the Standing Commission on Human Affairs and Health `to find a non-judgmental occasion to listen and talk,' and in the spirit of the Presiding Bishop's statement that `there will be no outcasts in this Church,' strongly urge each diocese and congregation to provide opportunities for open dialogue on human sexuality, in which we, as members of this Church, both heterosexual and homosexual, may study, pray, listen to and share our convictions and concerns, our search for stable, loving and committed relationships, and our journey toward wholeness and holiness; and ... "... the accepted sources of authority for Christians, namely Scripture, tradition, reason and experience, supplemented by the 1976, 1979, 1982 and 1985 statements from the General Convention on human sexuality, the resolution adopted by the General Synod of the Church of England in November, 1987, and the 1988 report of the Standing Commission on Human Affairs and Health, and ongoing scientific research be commended for use in this dialogue ..." Homosexual suicides (D-132a) "... this 69th General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognize with love and compassion the tragic suffering of gay and lesbian youth and the loss of life of these children and others who felt compelled to end their lives; and ... 1991 - Phoenix Study of Human Sexuality (A-104sa) "... This General Convention affirms that the teaching of the Episcopal Church is that physical sexual expression is appropriate only within the lifelong, monogamous `union of husband and wife in the heart, body, and mind intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord'; and ... "... this church continue to work to reconcile the discontinuity between this teaching and the experience of many members of this body; and ..., "... this General Convention confesses our failure to lead and to resolve this discontinuity through legislative efforts based upon resolutions directed at singular and various aspects of these issues; and ..., "... this General Convention commissions the bishops and members of each diocesan deputation to initiate a means for all congregations in their jurisdiction to enter into dialogue and deepen their understanding of these complex issues; and further this General Convention directs the president of each province to appoint one bishop, one lay deputy, and one clerical deputy in that province to facilitate the process, to receive reports from the dioceses at each meeting of their Provincial Synod, and report to the 71st General Convention; and ..., "... this General Convention directs the House of Bishops to prepare a Pastoral Teaching prior to the 71st General Convention using the learnings from the diocesan and provincial processes and calling upon such insight as is necessary from theologians, theological ethicists, social scientists, and gay and lesbian persons ... Educational Materials to be produced (D-049s) "... the 70th General Convention ... call on the Church including its theological seminaries to acknowledge and reexamine its attitudes about sexuality through seminars, conferences and one-on-one conversations with persons of differing sexual viewpoints and orientations; and ... "That all dioceses be requested to have continuing education courses in the area of human sexuality in general, and homosexuality in particular, and make these available to the clergy and laity of this Church ... 1994 - Indianapolis Amend Canon I.17.5 on Non-Discrimination in Life of Church (C-020) "Title I, Canon 17, Section 5 be amended as follows: "No member of this church shall be denied full participation in the life, worship, and governance of this church, except as otherwise specified by Canon." Educational Materials for Lesbian and Gay Youth and Families (C-026a) "... the members of this Church seriously address the issues of youth suicide and runaway/throwaway youth, especially as these result from conflict over sexuality, sexual identity, and sexual orientation; and ... "... the congregations and dioceses of this Church are strongly encouraged to identify and use as soon as possible educational materials directed to parents which will assist them in understanding their children's sexuality and in caring for their children regardless of whatever their sexuality may be ...." Domestic Partnerships (D-006a) "... the 71st General Convention call upon municipal council, state legislatures and the United States Congress to approve measures giving gay and lesbian couples protections such as: bereavement and family leave policies, health benefits, pension benefits, real-estate transfer tax benefits, and rights to the same kinds of mutual support enjoyed by non-gay married couples. Develop Forms of Blessing Same-Sex Couples (C-042a) " the 71st General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission and the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops to prepare and present to the 72nd General Convention, as part of the Church's ongoing dialogue on human sexuality, a report addressing the theological foundations and pastoral considerations involved in the development of rites honoring love and commitment between persons of the same sex" Add Sexual Orientation Protection to Federal Civil Rights Act (C-019s) "... the 71st General Convention reaffirms our 1976 resolution that homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection under law with all other citizens; and ... "... the Government Relations Office of the Episcopal Church be directed to work on behalf of such legislation to assure that such protection is provided in actuality. Access to the Ordination Process Open to All Without Discrimination (D-007a) "Title III, Canon 4 be amended by adding a new Section 1 as follows: "No one shall be denied access to the selection process for ordination in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise specified by these Canons. No right to ordination is hereby established." ++++++++++++++++++++ Resolutions Defeated at General Convention 1994 Since 1979 there have been scores of anti-gay resolutions introduced at General Convention. None was approved. What follows is a sampling of resolutions defeated in 1994. All of these unsuccessful resolutions were submitted by bishops making or consenting to the presentment of Bishop Righter. Why did the bishops offer these resolutions if the doctrine of the Episcopal Church already prohibits what they oppose? Add Blessing Same-Sex Unions to List of Offenses (B-001) "... Title IV, Canon 1, Section 1 be amended to add the following: "Subsection 10. Purporting to marry, or to bless or affirm sexual unions between members of the same sex or granting permission to any ordained person to do so. Add Sex Outside of Marriage to List of Offenses (B-002) "... Title IV, Canon 1, Section 1 be amended to add the following: "Subsection 9. Engaging in genital sexual relations outside the bonds of lawful marriage." Prohibit Ordaining Persons Sexually Active Outside Marriage (B-003) "... Title III, Canon 8 be amended to add the following: "Section 9. No person may be considered for ordination as bishop, priest or deacon who is known to the Commission on Ministry, the Standing Committee or the Ordinary to be engaging in genital sexual relations outside the bonds of lawful marriage." Prohibit blessing same-sex unions (B-004) "... Title I, Canon 18, be amended to add the following: "Section 5. No ordained person shall purport to marry, or to bless or affirm sexual unions between members of the same sex." Genital Sexual Relations Outside Marriage Expressly Prohibited of Clergy (B-013) "... a new Canon 17, be amended to Title I, subsequent canons to be renumbered accordingly, to read as follows: "All Members of the clergy of this Church, having subscribed to the Declaration required by Article VIII of the Constitution shall be obliged to abstain from genital sexual relations outside of Holy Matrimony."