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Bishop of Lincoln commissions liturgy for blessing relationships
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The Rt Revd John Saxbee, Bishop of Lincoln and
a patron of Changing Attitude, has commissioned a liturgy for use by those in
“non-marriage relationships” enabling them to give thanks to God in church for
their union. The service could be used by gay couples and cohabiting
heterosexuals. Although there have been many services of blessing of gay
relationships in parish churches, this is the first time a diocese or a bishop
has authorised a rite for use in lesbian and gay relationships. A draft of the
service has been completed and the committee responsible has suggested four
books to help as a resource in planning services. Three of the four are gay
prayer books. The draft service has been produced by the Lincoln liturgical committee,
chaired by Tim Ellis, Archdeacon of Stow. It includes a welcome and an opening
reading chosen from about a dozen passages in the Bible on the nature of
friendship. At one point couples step forward towards the altar and with the
priest give thanks to God for the relationship. There is then an opportunity for
the couple to declare a commitment, and an address and chance to exchange gifts.
The service can be used by close friends, not necessarily couples with a sexual
relationship. Peter Godden, rector of Owmby in Lincolnshire and secretary of the
liturgical committee, said: “We do recognise that the service will be used by
same-sex couples, but we have not provided any specific references to any kind
of relationship or friendship.” Bishop John Saxbee said, “When I arrived in the diocese, I saw a member of
the clergy become a victim of tabloid sensationalism for being prepared to
support same-sex friendships liturgically. Part of the impetus behind this
initiative was to provide a way clergy could do that with diocesan support.”
Bishop John argues that the new service will be “consistent with current
Anglican guidelines” because it does not claim to sanctify or bless a
relationship, but simply gives thanks for a friendship. Two years ago John Saxbee publicly backed a vicar in the diocese who was
blessing same-sex unions. He said then: “I have indicated I would not stand in
the way so long as he abides by my condition that they must not be made to look
like marriages.” The new development in the Diocese of Lincoln suggests that there are those
in the church, bishops as well as priests, who want to follow the lead set by
parliament which recently passed the “civil partnerships” act, giving registered
same-sex couples many of the same tax and inheritance advantages as married
couples. The move stops short of introducing a “marriage” service for gays, but it is
likely to anger traditionalists. Conservatives say the service damages efforts
to uphold the institution of marriage. “Who’s kidding who?” said David Banting,
chairman of Reform. “Would liturgy for this sort of relationship have come
forward for friendship’s sake were it not for the pressure from the gay lobby?”
Another anonymous senior Anglican, clearly following a reactionary strategy,
described John Saxbee’s move as “the kind of precipitate action that the
primates under Williams have been urging against”.
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