Poll: How would you have voted on the Episcopal church's new liturgical rite for same-sex couples?
This week, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church voted to approve an official denominational blessing of same-sex couples during commitment ceremonies. Though it was a majority vote, some detractors said the vote could hurt gay couples in foreign countries or could further split the already fractured denomination over the issue of gay marriage.
Read the text below of “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant”and tell us how you would have leaned if you had a vote.
"The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant"
Dear friends in Christ,
We have gathered together today
to witness [name] and [name] publicly committing themselves to one another
and, in the name of the church, to bless their union:
a relationship of mutual fidelity and steadfast love,
forsaking all others,
holding one another in tenderness and respect,
in strength and bravery,
as long as they live.
Therefore, in the name of Christ, let us pray
that they may be strengthened for the promises they make this day,
and that we will have the generosity
to support them in what they undertake
and the wisdom to see God at work in their life together.
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