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WHEREAS, the 2005 Orlando Churchwide Assembly passed a resolution to “continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops” regarding the blessing of homosexual relationships; and
WHEREAS, the text of the 1993 Bishops’ Statement states, “there is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church's ministry;” and
WHEREAS, former Bishop Kenneth Sauer, the Chairperson of the Conference of Bishops at the time of the adoption of the statement in 1993, distinctly recalls the purpose of the statement as being to refuse to approve any ceremony that would appear to give public approval by the ELCA to same-sex unions; and
WHEREAS, any ceremony approved by an ELCA synod or congregation is an official action of this church’s ministry;
WHEREAS, any attempt to use the “pastoral care provision” as a basis for providing official blessings of same-sex unions would be to use the phrase in an unintended way; and
WHEREAS, the New England Synod has promulgated “Guidelines for the Blessing of Same-sex Unions" that officially endorse the public blessing of homosexual relationships, thereby directly contradicting the 1993 Bishops' Statement and the actions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly to endorse the 1993 Statement; and
WHEREAS, these actions that directly violate the decisions of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly make it more difficult for all of us to heed that Assembly's other guidance that all in the ELCA “live together faithfully;” therefore be it
RESOLVED, that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to reaffirm that the 1993 Bishops’ Statement as endorsed by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2005 does not approve the “official” blessing of homosexual relationships, which includes any blessings for which approval is given by a synod or congregation; and be it further
RESOLVED that [this synod] memorialize the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to direct the Church Council and the Office of the Secretary to notify all ELCA synods and congregations to refrain from such public blessings that imply approval of same-sex sexual relationships.
Background information
The full text of the 1993 bishops’ statement is:
We, as the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, recognize that there is basis neither in Scripture nor tradition for the establishment of an official ceremony by this church for the blessing of a homosexual relationship. We, therefore, do not approve such a ceremony as an official action of this church's ministry. Nevertheless, we express trust in and will continue dialogue with those pastors and congregations who are in ministry with gay and lesbian persons, and affirm their desire to explore the best ways to provide pastoral care for all to whom they minister.
The New England Synod guidelines are at:
Guidance
Recommendation One on Sexuality approved at 2005 churchwide assembly:
RESOLVED, that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—its members, congregations, synods, churchwide organization, and agencies and institutions—be urged to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ.
Recommendation Two on Sexuality approved at 2005 churchwide assembly:
RESOLVED, that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America continue to respect the guidance of the 1993 statement of the Conference of Bishops; and be it further
RESOLVED, that this church welcome gay and lesbian persons into its life (as stated in Churchwide Assembly resolutions from 1991, 1995, and 1999), and trust pastors and congregations to discern ways to provide faithful pastoral care for all to whom they minister.