How Far We've Come

1977: From the Executive Council Minutes, April 27-29, 1977, Louisville, Kentucky

Resolved, That the Executive Council express the hope that no bishop will ordain or license any professing and practicing homosexual until the issue be resolved by the General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That this Council deplore and condemn all actions which offend the moral law of the Church; and further that it witness to the necessity for the Church to give moral leadership in the affairs end activities of the Church and the world; and be it further

Resolved, That these matters be referred to the House of Bishops, meeting in September, with a request that they be placed on its agenda.


And this from The Gift of Sexuality: A Theological Perspective (The Report of the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church, 2003)


Questions about Ordination

[7.0] There is a subset of questions that needs further exploration. Chief among them is whether unmarried, non-celibate persons, heterosexual or homosexual, should be ordained. In our polity, ordination is at the discretion of the bishop as overseer in the community of faith with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee. Sexual discipline and holiness of life must be a very serious consideration for bishops, Standing Committees, and Commissions on Ministry as they discern what constitutes a wholesome example to all people (BCP 544).

[7.1] We affirm the responsibility of Dioceses to discern and raise up fit persons for the ministry of word and sacrament to build up the body of Christ in that place. We call on bishops and Standing Committees to be respectful of the ways in which decisions made in one Diocese have ramifications on others. We remind all that ordination is for the whole Church."


Living in Disagreement

[8.0] Our present conclusion is that equally sincere Christians, equally committed to an orthodox understanding of the Faith we share, equally looking to Scripture for guidance on this issue, are deeply divided regarding questions with respect to homosexuality. It will be crucial for all parties in this debate to ask Gods blessing on their ever-deepening conversion in Christ, and to pray for God's love and forgiveness to be granted to all. Faithfulness and the courage to offer love and acceptance to those with whom we disagree is the great need of the moment.

[8.1] For these reasons, we believe it is imperative that the Episcopal Church refrain from any attempt to settle the matter legislatively . . ."