It's hard to believe they're in the same building. The House of Deputies meets in what feels like an airplane hangar; it has to be large to accommodate 1,000 deputies, plus visitors and the press. There are two jumbo-tron screens at the front of the hall and with a sound system powerful enough for that enormous space, there is an echo reverberating every time anyone speaks into a microphone. Deputies sit in long rows of tables; every one facing forward, 4 lay deputies sitting in a row and 4 clergy deputies seated right behind them.
In contrast, the House of Bishops feels like sitting in someone’s living room. With just around 150 bishops, the space is naturally much smaller. It’s also at the top of the Convention Center, third floor. The House of Deputies is always on the first floor, right next to the exhibit center. Hmmm, is one closer to the celestial realm and the other closer to the trappings and seductions of the world? Let's not even go there!
Because the bishops meet as a body several times a year (as opposed to the deputies, who meet every three years) the conversation in their house is much more intimate, a feeling enhanced by the round tables seating eight or so of the bishops at a time. At various times, the bishops have conducted small group conversations and Bible studies around these tables, strengthening the atmosphere of closeness. All this familiarity might lead one, such as myself, to a supposition of predictability. It has been my sense, since before the start of Convention, and during it, that the House of Deputies was poised to move forward on the progressive agenda of the Church. On the other hand, the House of Bishops would be quite conservative, not so much in the political sense of the word, but rather in a 'preserving the way the Church will continue' sense of the word. Thinly veiled admonitions from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and reports of the Church of England’s scrutiny of our actions (they are now participating in their own national meeting) only reified my assumption.
That is, until yesterday. Yesterday the House of Bishops stunned the Convention, and many others, I’m sure, by concurring with the House of Deputies on resolution D025 (you can find the text on my post from two days ago). This is the resolution stating that neither a candidate's sexual orientation, nor his/her same gender relationship, can, in and of itself, preclude ordination. What a huge step for the bishops to take--and it passed with a two-thirds majority.
While the bishops were discussing the matter of ordaining same gender partnered candidates into all three Holy Orders, the House of Deputies passed, with a significant majority, resolution C061, a canonical amendment. Changes in Canon Law are substantively very different from other resolutions. As with civil law, the interpretation of a Canon is much narrower -- not nearly as subject to the feelings or beliefs of individual bishops.
Language was carefully parsed in this resolution to state: No person shall be denied access or have his or her discernment process terminated because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons
Many deputies were concerned about some of the terms. For instance, what does "gender expression" mean? These questions reflect our evolving understanding of gender identity in every aspect of contemporary culture. It seems that developments in medicine, psychology, and sociology break new territory daily. It is to the credit of our Church that we contribute to this conversation. We should not fear the emergent understanding of these aspects of human life; rather, we should embrace our role in welcoming God's people
There has been much conversation in newspapers and on blogs about what this all means. We will have to live into the reality of our actions before we can understand their full ramifications. One thing I know is that each diocesan bishop will continue to use his or her own judgment in these matters. It will be the responsibility of each diocese in its convention (in Virginia's case, annual council) to advise its bishop. St. Anne’s has sponsored resolutions at the past several annual councils in this matter. I am proud of us, for we have been in the vanguard.
Tomorrow: same gender blessings
