Vermont became the first state in the union to make same-sex unions legal in 2000. Now the Episcopal Church in Vermont has developed a liturgy that recognizes those unions in a church setting. The United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association also perform same sex unions (and marriages where legal). The Associated Press reports:
"We have been living with the legal reality of same-sex unions for over three years," Bishop Thomas Ely said in a statement to be made public Friday. "It is appropriate and timely for the Diocese of Vermont to prepare and use these services for members of our congregations…."The national church, the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, resolved at its General Convention last year that "local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions."
The convention addressed same-sex unions only; it did not address same-sex marriages. In Massachusetts, which last month became the first state to legalize same-sex marriages, Bishop M. Thomas Shaw has come under fire from some liberals after instructing priests in the diocese that they could officiate at same-sex holy unions but not same-sex marriages.
Rev. Jan Nunley, a spokeswoman for the national church, summed up its current stance this way: "If you're a same-sex couple you can't get married in the Episcopal Church. You can have your relationship blessed in some dioceses of the Episcopal Church. The issue of (same-sex) marriage has not been broached before the General Convention."
This is a very important step in the full recognition of gays and lesbians in the life of the church. Though not a complete step it is one in which the Episcopal Church of Vermont recognizes that there is a spiritual bond between gays and lesbians in committed relationships which many Christians believe God would honor.
