R-4a Integrity of Committing Relationships
RESOLVED, that the Diocese of Virginia recognizes our responsibility to respond to the pastoral needs of our faithful gay and lesbian members in a spirit of love, compassion and respect, and in doing so seek to fulfill our baptismal commitment to respect the dignity of every human being; and be it further
RESOLVED, that accordingly the 214th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia affirms the inherent integrity of and blessededness of committed Christian relationships between two adult persons, when those relationships are "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God." (Resolution 2000-D039 of the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church).
And this.
Resolved, that it is the mind of this 214th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia, in compliance with Canon III.1.2 and Canon I.17.5 of the Canons of The General Convention of the Episcopal Church, that in this Diocese no rule, policy or practice, written or unwritten, formal or informal, should be understood to prevent any church or church employer from hiring any person, lay or clergy, to any position because of his or her race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age; and, be it further
Excellent work on both issues. This is what can happen when the anchors that we have been dragging finally get cut loose and we can get on our way. You will of course remember that the Diocese of Virginia has "lost" several parishes who have left TEC. They are currently in litigation with those parishes but the members of those parishes who have left did not come to the Diocesan Council and the council was free to pass the above resolutions.
As I have said before lets be who we are and let the chips fall where they may.
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