Bishop of Pittsburgh Authorizes Use of Blessings Rite

The Right Rev. Dorsey McConnell, Bishop of Pittsburgh, issused a pastoral letter on November 25th which authorized clergy in the diocese to use the provisional rite for blessing same-gender relationships authorized by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2012.

"As I have listened to you, I have heard many passionate, and sometimes contradictory, hopes and fears," he wrote in a pastoral letter released Monday. "Some have insisted they will not tolerate any permitted use of a blessing liturgy in this diocese, while others have insisted they will accept nothing less than sacramental marriage for same-sex couples. Between these poles I have heard a host of nuanced positions, usually accompanied by the sincere desire for the unity of the Church."

McConnell, who told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he will not perform the services himself, cited a need to be "the Bishop of the whole diocese" in extending the option to those priests who wish to provide pastoral care to same-sex couples.

"I think this is a fabulous step forward, and I look forward to the day when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers equality to all," said Susan Pederson, Integrity's Province III Coordinator.

Integrity Pittsburgh issued a measured response on its web site, which read in part:

"We appreciate this announcement as a first step. We’ve patiently waited for this first step, and we thank the bishop for it. We feel this is only the beginning of full inclusion of LBGTQA people into the life and ministry of the church."

Chapter Co-Convener Dianne Watson told the Post-Gazette: "Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and asexual persons should have access to all of the rites of the Episcopal Church, no matter which local church they go to."

From across the Commonwealth, Integrity's Vice President for National Affairs, the Rev. Jon M. Richardson, responded joyfully to the news.  He is rector of the Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd in Philadelphia.

"I echo the praise of the leaders of Integrity Pittsburgh in celebrating this step on the journey to real equality being offered by Bishop McConnell. The General Convention in 2012 made space for bishops to offer blessing rites to Episcopalians in loving, same-sex relationships as a part of a 'generous pastoral response' to the needs of gay and lesbian people, and it is encouraging to see that pastoral need being met for faithful Episcopalians in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. While it's true that there are miles to go before we achieve real equality, Bishop McConnell's generosity is a very welcome development. I share in the joy of Integrity Pittsburgh and offer my gratitude to their bishop. I pray that their diocese and our whole church will shine as a beacon of welcome to all people on the margins of society."

The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall, Integrity's President, sums up the situation:

"The Diocese of Pittsburgh has been through a careful process to discern its way forward, and Bishop McConnell's decision to allow each parish to make its own choice shows a respect and pastoral concern for the diversity of opinion which exists. However, in his comments on the rite of blessing he seems be condemning it as an inadequate rite for the sacrament of marriage. He is -- of course -- correct, because General Convention did not authorize a rite of marriage. Integrity is committed to working for the day when a rite of marriage will be available for same-gender couples in every church, and gives thanks for each small step along the way."

The Diocese of Pittsburgh split in 2008, in part over differences of opinion on human sexuality issues.  About 40 parishes and 10,000 people make up the continuing Episcopal diocese.

Christian Paolino is Chair of the Stakeholders' Council of IntegrityUSA

Interview with Bishop Robinson and a Letter to Bishop Duncan

The Daily Office
An Open Letter to the Bishop of Pittsburgh

Right Reverend Sir:

As you prepare to effect schism, pro or con, I have a humble request.

Please make sure that you pray to God one last time about your interpretation of Scripture concerning homosexual behavior.

If after prayer you can say with confidence that your current understanding is right, because the Holy Spirit makes that abundantly clear to you in your body, then go in peace and feed your flock.

Theological education, reading and reflection are insufficient on this issue. We bring too many biases to it, pro or con. It is a difficult issue because it touches each of us so personally. You’ve said correctly (NPR interview, 12/04) that sexuality is located in the core of personhood, and that the Bible recognizes this.

You also assented to the interviewer’s clichéd formula, “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” I believe that’s a mistake, bishop, because hate is nowhere found in the vocabulary of Jesus. The correct formula is “Forgive the sin, love the sinner.”

We are not allowed to speak hate. It results in death for both the hater and the hated.

But my point is that we all have to pray about Gay people and the Church. Thought alone is insufficient, because we also bring emotion to it; all of us do. So I ask you to pray to God in a way that acknowledges the possibility that you could be wrong.

Read it all HERE

Obituary: Susan J. "Sue" Boulden

'Outspoken' human rights advocate, Episcopalian March 28, 1943 -- March 27, 2007

Thursday, March 29, 2007

By Steve Levin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Susan J. "Sue" Boulden, who gained notoriety throughout the Episcopal Church and parts of the Anglican Communion for her outspokenness on human rights and religious issues, died Tuesday following open heart surgery at West Penn Hospital. She would have been 64 yesterday.

Ms. Boulden, of Oakmont, was a familiar figure at Episcopal gatherings, both in the Pittsburgh diocese and on the national scene. Wearing buttons boosting her favorite causes, she would corner clergy, laity and news media to ensure all were aware of not only what she believed, but why.

snip

She was active in Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh, or PEP, a group she helped form in the wake of the 2002 diocesan convention after a resolution was passed that declared the diocese would no longer accede to national church canon it felt contravened "the historic catholic faith."

She also was a key supporter of the national group Via Media USA that PEP was instrumental in forming.

In addition, Ms. Boulden was diocesan coordinator for Integrity/Pittsburgh, an advocacy group of gay and lesbian Episcopalians, and a contributing writer to Voice of Integrity, the group's national publication.

While she was a former member of the diocesan council and a member of the Episcopal Women's Caucus, she may have been best known for her opposition to Bishop Robert W. Duncan Jr.

Click here to read the rest.