Diocese of VA, 'Generous and Faithful'

In a seven page report, a commission in the Diocese of VA formed “to discern a possible ‘emerging consensus’ regarding the permitting of ‘local options’ for the blessing of same-sex unions,” came to the following conclusion:

Part II: Recommendation as to Finding a Way Forward We, the members of the R-5 Commission, being mindful of our membership in the Anglican Communion, recommend that the 213th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia, building on the process of continued listening and discernment of a possible “emerging consensus” with regard to the permitting of “local option” for the blessing of same-gender unions, appoint a new commission to identify the practical steps necessary to provide for the pastoral care and spiritual support of same-gender couples in committed monogamous relationships.

We specifically recommend that:

1) An appointed Commission compile and make available theological, catechetical, and liturgical resources within the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion for the pastoral care and spiritual support of same-gender couples in committed relationships; and Report of the R-5 Commission to the 213th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia

2) The Commission design and execute four town hall meetings, in order to share resources for education and to establish a better sense of an “emerging consensus” pertaining to “local option” for the blessing of same-gender unions ; and

3) The Commission be tasked to make a report of its findings and work to the 214th Annual Council, in time for further action to be taken in anticipation of the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2009. This recommendation seeks to provide an ongoing commitment to discern ways of being generous and faithful in our common pastoral call, even as we acknowledge that we are not of one mind in this Diocese on the permissibility of “local option” in the blessing of samegender unions.

To view the complete Report click this link and scroll down to 'Reports: R-5 Commission Report