The motion (which passed) discussed in my blog of 22/04/2008, Blessing
same-gender unions motion calls for the bishop to "authorize an
appropriate rite and make regulations for its use in supportive parishes."
We Anglicans already have an appropriate
rite for blessing civil unions. I recently discovered The Canadian Book of Occasional
Offices; services for certain occasion not provided in the book of common
prayer. Published at the request
of the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada and compiled by the
Most Reverend Harold E. Sexton, Archbishop of British Columbia, in 1964. On
page 109 there is “The Blessing of a Civil Marriage.” While technically it is not for same-gender
unions it is easier to modify an existing rite than to create a new one.
same-gender unions motion calls for the bishop to "authorize an
appropriate rite and make regulations for its use in supportive parishes."
We Anglicans already have an appropriate
rite for blessing civil unions. I recently discovered The Canadian Book of Occasional
Offices; services for certain occasion not provided in the book of common
prayer. Published at the request
of the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada and compiled by the
Most Reverend Harold E. Sexton, Archbishop of British Columbia, in 1964. On
page 109 there is “The Blessing of a Civil Marriage.” While technically it is not for same-gender
unions it is easier to modify an existing rite than to create a new one.
Eric C. Bow 