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Note: The follow letter was sent to subscribers to DioLog, the diocese's biweekly e-newsletter.
November 10, 2011
Dear Friends,
This is a very sensitive time in the life of the Episcopal Church with regards to same-gender blessings. The wider Episcopal Church has been carefully and thoughtfully moving towards the approval of such blessings for many years now, and a number of dioceses already have policies granting clergy permission to utilize trial same-sex blessings under specific circumstances. Since my election as bishop in 2003, I have consistently stated the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas would remain in step with the wider Episcopal Church. I have tried neither to move ahead of the Episcopal Church’s teachings and practice nor to stand outside of it.
A series of resolutions are widely anticipated at next summer’s General Convention that would grant trial use of such liturgies throughout the Episcopal Church. In the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, the priests of our diocese discussed draft policies at last week’s Gathering of Presbyters. We are also planning to introduce a series of educational resources to prepare clergy and parishes for the possibility that same-sex blessings will be approved by the wider Church.
In the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, we have observed a kind of respectful silence on this topic, because for a number of years we were unable to have healthy discussions that did not escalate into pitched battles. In this, our diocese was not alone. However, we have spent more than eight years building relationships, trust and good will in a variety of areas, so that we might be of one heart as the Body of Christ even if we are of different minds on this particular subject. I have always believed the processes we develop to deal with disagreements are more important than what it is we finally, actually decide. God is in charge of outcomes, and we are responsible for processes that “respect the dignity of every human being.” Whatever policies and rites we will adopt in this diocese will be intentional in their support for clergy and lay persons who do not agree with these policies and who do not wish to make use of these rites.
In this transitional period, some clergy will be under tremendous pressure to officiate at same-gender blessing ceremonies before official permissions for these rites are granted. I pray, for the sake of the unity and discipline of this diocese, that we will exercise pastoral restraint until official permissions are granted. Improvisational liturgies performed extra-canonically by non-Episcopal clergy in the parish halls and backyards of our parishes will not pay proper respect to either the blessing or to those who are coming to our churches to be blessed. Episcopal liturgy belongs in Episcopal parishes presided over by Episcopal clergy working under the direction of Episcopal bishops operating under the Canons and Constitution of the Episcopal Church.
While we are not yet granted permission to perform such liturgies, we are rapidly approaching a time when we may be, and when that time comes, I pray every clergy person and every lay person in our diocese will be as spiritually, emotionally and theologically prepared as possible. It is the responsibility of the clergy in general, and rectors in particular, to instruct the members of their parishes regarding the theology, history and evolution of these rites and practices.
I pray that those who believe the Episcopal Church has proceeded too quickly down this path will appreciate the deep pastoral needs of gay and lesbian persons who have waited a very long time for this moment to arrive. And I pray that those who feel the Episcopal Church has moved far too slowly in these matters will appreciate the clergy’s continuing and grave responsibility to care for the whole of God’s people. This moment calls for reduced anxieties and greater prayerfulness.
May the God of love and light continue to bless and refresh us all, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Faithfully,
The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe, D.D.
Ninth Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas