A motion at the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut's convention has postponed "indefinitely" adoption of the Roman Catholic based "Marriage Encounter" program based on concerns it is not open to same gender couples.
The full text of the convention report is as follows:
Resolution #11: Diocesan Commitment to Marriage Encounter Movement: POSTPONED INDEFINITELY
The presenter stressed how the movement can help families, and convention sought to know alternatives to the current Marriage Encounter Movement, which is run by the Roman Catholic Church and does not allow gay or lesbian married couples to participate. The resolution was postponed to allow time to learn of alternatives."
Earlier the Convention approved a resolution asking their bishop to allow clergy to officiate at the marriage of same sex couples:
Resolution #6: Permitting the clergy of the Diocese of Connecticut to voluntarily officiate marriages of same sex couples: PASSED AS AMENDED
As anticipated this was much-debated and there was concern over its reach and impact. An amendment to change "permit" to "may permit" passed, as did an amendment adding "acting as legal agents of the State" to the sentence about officiating. An amendment calling for the next General Convention to propose gender-neutral language in marriage rites did not pass. There was a call to vote each resolve separately. Both passed.
Final language: RESOLVED: That the 227th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut urges the Bishop of Connecticut to acknowledge that there are people living in same-gender relationships of mutuality and fidelity who want to be married by their clergy; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Bishop of this Diocese may permit the clergy of the Diocese to determine the appropriate generous pastoral response to meet the needs of the members of his or her own local eucharistic community, including officiating at weddings of same-sex couples and acting as legal agents of the State in signing marriage licenses.
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