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S y n o d N E W S e x t r a
saturday, june 3, 1995
human sexuality
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s u m m a r y
On Monday evening, General Synod members will discuss the
report on homosexuality, as produced by a task force on the
subject. It is expected to be one of the "hottest" issues
on the agenda.
And, as you may have read in today's Synod NEWSlink, you may
be able to watch the proceedings live in a satellite video
hook-up if you live near Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal.
If you're elsewhere in Canada, you'll be able to see a
summary on the Vision TV network at 9:30 p.m. Eastern.
Although the Synod likely won't be asked to make a specific
decision on the ordination or marriage of gay people, there
are some motions up for debate around the issue.
Following is the complete, verbatim text of all resolutions
dealing with human sexuality AS SUBMITTED THUS FAR to
members. I should note that there are also several
memorials to Synod on the subject, but to date they have not
been moved formally for debate on the floor.
As well, the Resolutions Committee may ask sponsors of
motions to reword or redraft their motion for clarity and
jurisdiction, so members of General Synod may not end up
voting on this exact wording.
Hopefully this will help give you a better sense of what
members of General Synod are looking at considering in the
coming days as you follow the issue.
I hope it's helpful.
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t i m e l i n e s
1976 The House of Bishops commissioned a Task Force to
provide an advisory document on homosexuality.
The first draft was presented in 1977 and the
document was submitted in 1978. This bishops made
a statement in 1979 upholding the principle that
Holy Matrimony is valid only between a man and a
woman. Persons of homosexual orientation could be
ordained, but must commit themselves to a celibate
lifestyle.
1985 A study focussing on human sexuality and related
issues of justice was presented to the House of
Bishops. A study guide, "A Study Resource on
Human Sexuality," was made available to the wider
church.
1987 The House of Bishops issued a statement of concern
with respect to AIDS and made a commitment to
respond with educational resources and pastoral
sensitivity.
1991 The House of Bishops upheld its 1979 statement.
The human rights unit produced the resource "Our
Stories, Your Story" which was intended to help
the wider church hear the voices of gay and
lesbian people.
1992 The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada
decided to commission a study on homosexuality and
homosexual relationships and referred its
resolution to the House of Bishops. This study
was to include: modern scientific knowledge; the
church's understanding of biblical teaching on
homosexuality, inclusiveness, and justice; the
experience of gay and lesbian people who are
committed Christians; a report to be submitted to
General Synod 1995 in a form that would be
available to the whole church.
1993 The National Executive Council appointed a task
force to produce a program of study.
1994 The program of study, entitled "Hearing Diverse
Voices, Seeking Common Ground" was published.
[Parishes around the country began meeting about
the subject.]
1995 The task force on homosexuality and homosexual
relationships reports to General Synod.
* Text taken from a paper titled "The Homosexuality Study:
Background," distributed in the General Synod 1995 Media
Information Kit. Text in brackets added for clarity.
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t h e r e s o l u t i o n s
RESOLUTION A-125
That this General Synod affirms the presence and
contributions of gay and lesbian Christians in the life
of the church and condemns bigotry, violence and hatred
directed toward any due to their sexual orientation.
RESOLUTION A-126
That this General Synod:
- encourage parishes and dioceses to continue, deepen,
extend and adapt the learning, reflection and dialogue
identified by the Task Force on Homosexuality and Homosexual
Relationships (as reflected in Recommendations 1 through 4
of the Task Force Report).
- encourage parishes and dioceses to give particular
attention to the ongoing dialogue with respect to the issues
identified in Recommendation 5 of the Task Force Report.
- encourage parishes and dioceses to develop plans of action
to further the dialogue as described in the Recommendations
of the Task Force Report.
- request the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee to make
provision for leadership to ensure that this process
continues at the parish and diocesan levels and that a
report be made at the next General Synod.
RESOLUTION A-127
That this General Synod encourage the Primate to continue to
facilitate the communication about the dialogue throughout
the church.
RESOLUTION A-128
That this General Synod encourages the House of Bishops to
clarify the status of its 1979 Statement and Guidelines on
Human Sexuality and its intention (if any) to review and
revise these documents.
(EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Task Force
noted confusion in the minds of many church members, some
expecting that a major decision would be made at this
General Synod. It is acknowledged that ongoing study and
dialogue is required, and this motion is to encourage the
House of Bishops to clarify the status of its Statement and
Guidelines, and to declare its intention as to whether these
need to be reviewed and revised.)
* Note: I have heard that a motion may be in the works to
study same-sex unions. To date, no motion has been
submitted for consideration, but I'll let you know
if it does.
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m e m o r i a l s
(To clarify, Memorials have no legislative impact on General
Synod, unless they are moved formally to the floor. To
date, none of the Memorials below have been moved to the
floor for debate and vote, and if it doesn't happen, no
action will be taken on them and the content of the
Memorials is not recorded in the General Synod record.)
DIOCESE OF FREDRICTON (1993)
That this Synod [of the Diocese of Fredricton] affirm the
clear Biblical and universally held teaching of the
Church that sexual relationships between persons of the
same sex is contrary to God's purpose and is sinful, and
that this affirmation be conveyed as a Memorial to
General Synod.
DIOCESE OF HURON (1995)
That the Synod of Huron condemns the mistreatment of
homosexual people wherever it has been practiced in the
church. We affirm that all have "fallen short of the
glory of God," and are in continual need for the
forgiving grace available through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This Synod urges that the Church offer love, friendship,
acceptance, and understanding to all persons, regardless
of sexual orientation.
That the Synod of Huron endorses the 1979 Statement of
the House of Bishops as a doctrinally sound, Biblically
grounded, and fair-minded approach to this issue. We
urge that no change be made at this time in the practice
of the Church with regard to the marriage of persons of
the same sex or the ordination of sexually active
homosexual persons.
That the Synod of Huron strongly urges the General Synod
to postpone binding decisions on matters pertaining to
sexual orientation until a thorough process of education
and understanding has been carried out at the parish
level.
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