Thinking Anglicans

Brazilian Anglicans vote to marry same-sex couples

Updated Tuesday morning

Savi Hensman reports at Ekklesia:

Brazilian Anglicans’ ‘yes’ to marrying same-sex couples

The Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil has decided to open up church marriage to same-sex couples. On 1 June 2018 its synod voted by a huge majority – 57 in favour, three against and two abstentions – to amend the rules (canons) on who could marry.

“I felt the decision was a result of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work. This widens our boundaries, allowing us to be more welcoming to the diversity of people in our country”, said the Primate (most senior bishop), Francisco de Assis da Silva.

This follows decades of discussion on sexuality, with more intensive debate in recent years. A handful of churches in the Anglican Communion (and certain other denominations) already allow clergy to marry same-sex couples, though Brazil is the first in the South to say ‘yes’…

Update
The Anglican Communion News Service now has this comprehensive report: Brazil’s Anglican Church changes its canons to permit same-sex marriage. This article includes comment from the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, and lists the state of play on this topic in other provinces which have taken, or are contemplating, similar action.

As of 2 pm Monday, there is no other report on this in English elsewhere, except for the press release copied below the fold, which has appeared at Anglican Ink.

Press release from IEAB

This is a historical moment for the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil. Today, it voted in favor of amending its marriage canon to allow same-sex blessings by a large majority of votes – 57 in favor, 4 against and 2 abstentions. This is the third time the matter was brought into consideration at a General Synod.

Canonical changes were approved in an environment filled by the Holy Spirit and with mutual love and respect. It was preceeded by long, deep and spiritual dialogue. This dialogue formally started in 1997, but had been going on much earlier, and reached the whole province since then through indabas, conferences, consultations, prayers, biblical and theological publications.

The Anglican Service for Diaconia and Development – SADD and Centre for Anglican Studies – CEA were commissioned by the Synod in 2013 to deepen dialogue among dioceses of the Province. It is worth noticing that same-sex civil marriage is legal in Brazil since 2012.

We were visited by international guests such as the Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Rt. Rev. Linda Nichols from Huron Diocese in Canada, among others. They shared with Synod their experience on the matter and led us into prayer.

We affirm our commitment with the Gospel of Jesus and our belonging to the Anglican Global Family. We also hope to keep walking together with those who disagree with us as we discern how to better respond to the challenges ahead of us in our contexts.
“I felt the decision was a result of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work. This widens our boundaries, allowing us to be more welcoming to the diversity of people in our country”, said the Primate of Brazil, the Most Rev. Francisco de Assis da Silva.

“As a member of the LGBT community, I followed this debate since its inception, first as a lay person and then as a clergy person. I personally felt discrimination and persecution when I first came out in the Diocese of Recife, and saw colleagues facing similar struggles. Some people left the Church, others lost faith in the Church as an institution. When I was chosen Provincial Secretary in 2011, the Church was aware of my sexual orientation and the fact I was in a civil union with Dr. David Morales. It was not an impediment to such crucial position. In 2016, we have had an extraordinary synod in order to discuss our canons as a whole. The discussion on Holy Matrimony was very challenging because it invited the church to speak out about this theme more openly. It allowed dioceses to engage in further discussion on a topic that had not been fully debated in some circles until then. I feel proud to witness this historic day for the Church of Brazil, which is also the day we celebrate IEAB’s 128th anniversary. We stand as a lighthouse at a time this country (and the world) faces so many difficulties, such as religious fundamentalism and intolerance. I finish my term as provincial secretary feeling completely overwhelmed.” [Quote from Revd Arthur Cavalcante, Provincial Secretary]

Liturgical changes will not be needed, the 2015 Book of Common Prayer’s marriage rite is gender neutral and should be used for any solemnization of marriage, regardless of gender.

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Kate
Kate
6 years ago

Congratulations to Brazil

I don’t understand how England got to be so socially Conservative. Scotland for instance is probably pushing ahead with modernising the Gender Recognition Act but in England the same changes are facing opposition. We do need to start wondering, I think, what is in England which means we can’t pass something which in Brazil passed with such strong support.

Paul Waddington
Paul Waddington
6 years ago

This is another step along the road towards the break up of the Anglican Communion. There can no longer be any healing of the rift between GAFCON and the ever more liberal Anglican Churches.

Before too long, the leaders of the Church of England will have to climb down on one or other side of the fence; and that will cause an irreparable rift in the English Church. It is just a matter of time.

James Byron
James Byron
6 years ago

Hallelujah!

Peter S
Peter S
6 years ago

Probably worth clarifying that the second block quote is from Rev Arthur Cavalcante, the Provincial Secretary, and not the Primate (as wonderful as it would be to know that an Anglican Primate was in a same-sex relationship!).

ED: thanks have made this clear above.

Interested Observer
Interested Observer
6 years ago

“There can no longer be any healing of the rift between GAFCON and the ever more liberal Anglican Churches.”

Don’t Gafcon claim to represent “the Global South”? Against the hegemony of colonialism, white oppression and so on? It’s going to be interesting to watch the people who want to argue that same-sex marruage is a liberal, northern, white, European colonialist piece of oppresion lumping Brazil in with the bad guys.

Father Ron Smith
6 years ago

“Before too long, the leaders of the Church of England will have to climb down on one or other side of the fence; and that will cause an irreparable rift in the English Church. It is just a matter of time.” – Posted by: Paul Waddington Dear Paul, the Church of England has actually survived even tougher prospects than learning to live with the reality of Equal Marriage. Earlier problems with contraception, divorce and re-marriage, and women’s ordination undoubtedly was the occasion of a minority leaving the Church. However, the Church has had to learn to cope with the changing… Read more »

crs
crs
6 years ago

RS, I should have thought that PW’s comment made complete sense. If the CofE approves ss marriage, it will cause a division.

Josiah I-F’s (rather anodyne) response also makes it clear there is a teaching of the Communion Provinces, that they have agreed, and that this is a departure from that.

One can be enthusiastic about ss marriage, as you are, but it cannot also be the case that one blithely holds the view that all will be well. No, there will be a deep division. PW is simply preferring realism over enthusiasm.

Andrew Godsall
Andrew Godsall
6 years ago

“If the CofE approves ss marriage, it will cause a division”

Christopher, exactly the same was said of the ordination of women. The truth is that NOT approving of it will cause division as well, as was also the case with the ordination of women.

So one can be UNenthusiastic about ss marriage, as you are, but it cannot also be the case that one blithely holds the view that all will be well. We will have to, eventually, come to some settlement along the lines of the five guiding principles. There is no other choice.

Jeremy
Jeremy
6 years ago

What Dr. Idowu-Fearon began with is interesting. To quote: “Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, said: ‘The churches of the Anglican Communion are autonomous and free to make their own decisions on canon law.'” This is a useful clarification in several ways–“churches,” “autonomous,” and “free to make their own decisions.” Of course, nearly everything that follows is an attempt to discourage other provinces from following Brazil’s lead. The Secretary General closes with the usual waffle: “It is important to stress the Communion’s strong opposition to the criminalisation of LGBTIQ+ people.” Might the Communion ever say that it opposes criminalisation of same-sex _conduct_? Or… Read more »

Paul Waddington
Paul Waddington
6 years ago

“the Church of England has actually survived even tougher prospects than learning to live with the reality of Equal Marriage”. In response to Fr Ron Smith, I think the choice of the word, survived, is very appropriate. According to the British Social Attitudes survey, I think that in 1983, 43% of British people regarded themselves as Anglican (or C of E, or SEC or C of I). Now that figure is just 15%. Furthermore, and even more alarmingly, the median age of members of the Anglican Churches in Britain is over 65. What will the position be in, say, 15… Read more »

Interested Observer
Interested Observer
6 years ago

“If the CofE approves ss marriage, it will cause a division.” The same might said of any advance in social justice: there will always be people too invested in injustice to be willing to change. Organisations have to choose whether to tactically remain with the past, or strategically move to the future. The future of the organisation is different to the temporary opinions of its current members, particularly as those opposing improvements in social justice are largely the older members. The long-term effect on the Catholic Church in Ireland of refusing to change is glaringly obvious to see. First they… Read more »

Kate
Kate
6 years ago

“One can be enthusiastic about ss marriage, as you are, but it cannot also be the case that one blithely holds the view that all will be well. No, there will be a deep division. PW is simply preferring realism over enthusiasm. “ If the bishops block it again, I think there’s enough momentum to get the exceptions removed from the Equality Act. It’s like the Irish border in Brexit. There might be an immovable object but an irresistible force will slam into it. In both cases it will require a stroke of genius to find a solution which is… Read more »

Stanley Monkhouse
6 years ago

IO, Spinal Tap: quite marvellous. TA has ‘gorn orf’ these days with so many taking themselves so seriously. As church officials open their mouths only to change feet, the only response is ridicule. Thank you.

crs
crs
6 years ago

Only 7% of the entire population of England consider themselves C Of E.

Survival?

10% say they are RC. 6% Muslim.

I think the pressing present question is, how can there be a C of E so very few people believe is a church by law established but not attended.

No one seriously expects any of this to change.

Next year it will be 6% anglican, 6% muslim, 11% RC. And the next year following this trend.

Church of England — just how so?

Bernard Silverman
6 years ago

The deep rift in the Church of England is here already. Brazil’s action will embolden those on both sides of this argument. I don’t think that it will be possible to enforce the party line much longer because (more) bishops will break ranks. On the other hand the “conservative” view will also be expressed more strongly. Disputes where both sides are absolutely convinced they are right are rarely pleasant. However, the very long term pattern of numerical decline seems unlikely to be affected whatever decision is taken. Kate: much as I would wish the Church of England to make far… Read more »

T Pott
T Pott
6 years ago

@crs

Please could you cite your source for the statistics, which seem very shocking.

FrDavidH
FrDavidH
6 years ago

CRS: It us not so much that the English have chosen to reject a national church. It’s more a decision to regard all religions as nonsense.

John Bunyan
John Bunyan
6 years ago

There are so many things one could respond to on this site where conservatives and traditional liberals rarely contribute. But perhaps the most important refers to the comment regarding the execution of Jesus. It is simply not true to say that he was crucified for advocating a loving God. He was crucified by the Romans, with the support of the high priest and those closely associated with him, because his activities were thought to threaten the stability of the regime in Judaea. Jesus was not a “liberal protestant” but a devout Jew with a mission to his own people, and… Read more »

Fr Andrew
Fr Andrew
6 years ago

The most recent Social Attitudes survey put those identifying as Church of England at 17 per cent. Perhaps crs inadvertently missed off the first digit.

crs
crs
6 years ago

“It us not so much that the English have chosen to reject a national church. It’s more a decision to regard all religions as nonsense.” Doesn’t sound like RCs or Muslims agree. No surprise there. Maybe I don’t understand your point. It sounds like a step down from a counsel of despair. TP. These are figures I have seen in the last week. I am happy to stand corrected. They likely refer to percentage of those active in worship attendance. I think the main point is that there is an established church in England that an increasingly smaller and smaller… Read more »

Andrew Godsall
Andrew Godsall
6 years ago

“I think the main point is that there is an established church in England that an increasingly smaller and smaller proportion of subjects attend or identify with.”

Christopher: and does this have anything in any way to do with same sex marriage? (the subject of the thread)

Laurie Roberts
Laurie Roberts
6 years ago

If fewer people attend mass, does that really = ‘the decline of Anglicanism’ ? I am not convinced – why should it ‘equal’ that ? Thinking about it – more and more bodies, knees on hassocks ? I find spirituality and prayer, and commitment and love to be more profound than that… more nuanced, less measurable, more real & risky… trying this out : it’s perhaps, more like : ‘the silence of eternity interpreted by love’ and today’s epistle (1.Pt) surprised by grace, (grace, grace !), and the gospel, she has been married to all 7 brothers but now she… Read more »

Paul Waddington
Paul Waddington
6 years ago

If fewer people attend mass, does that really = ‘the decline of Anglicanism’ ? In response to Laurie Roberts, the British Social Attitudes statistics are compiled from responses to the question: Do you belong to a religious denomination, and if so which? It does not relate to church attendance. However, if one wants to argue along the lines of church attendance, the C of E’s own published statistics tell a similar story. That is a consistent fall in church attendance, year on year, of about 1.5%. The trend is inexorable. The most troubling statistics in my view are these: 1.… Read more »

Pat O'Neill
Pat O'Neill
6 years ago

“BTW, if memory serves already ten years ago England was more Roman Catholic than Anglican. “It’s immigration.” Well, that doesn’t explain the decline of Anglicanism.” Actually, it probably does. Roman Catholics tend to have larger families than Protestants in general and likely Anglicans in particular. If the population as a whole is becoming more RC, and the Anglican portion is not growing as quickly as the RC portion, then the Anglican portion as a percentage of total population will decline. Simple example: Village has a population of 50, split 25/25 RC and CoE. RC couple moves in without children. Now… Read more »

Laurie Roberts
Laurie Roberts
6 years ago

I feel led to share this testimony from an evangelical minister and parish, in conversation with Iona’s John Bell.

It is very moving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-w0ylq-waE

Surely, things must change for us before too long ?

crs
crs
6 years ago

PW:

The statistics are similar in TEC. Average size congregation, uppers 50s. Average age, lower 60s. Baptism and marriage rates down more than 50% since 1980. 45% of dioceses less than 4000 ASA.

Fortunately I think the HOB in TEC is alert to the very fragile state of affairs. If you are a bishop in one of these dioceses, “you get it.”

One thing the HOB has avoided is the bromide that ss marriage will bring (even anodyne) improvement.

But of course TEC does not have the bear the responsibility of being “The Church of the USA.”

Laurie Roberts
Laurie Roberts
6 years ago

My apologies, but the you tube video I submitted at 12.43 today was not the one I had specifically felt led to share (though it is very good).

This is the correct url and it is very moving and a real pointer towards ways for forward in evangelical churches — and probably can be ‘applied’ in many different churches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G51jf2sGts8

T Pott
T Pott
6 years ago

@crs The 7% Anglican, 10% Catholic, 6% Muslim figures appear in a report by Professor Bullivant, Europe’s Young Adults and Religion. That may be your source. They relate to the UK, not England; and to people aged 16 to 29, not the general population. Low figures for the young are only partially generational, and partly age-related. There has long been a preponderance of old ladies in the pews, many of whom became regular churchgoers later in life. We might expect some of todays young women and men to do the same. Re whether near-weekly communicants would be a good measure,… Read more »

crs
crs
6 years ago

“Still, whatever the figures, the reality is dire.”

I agree. God has only good things for His creation.

Let’s see where He is going now…

Bernard Silverman
6 years ago

In fact longitudinal comparisons of the BSA over long periods show that the religious or non religious composition of each cohort is pretty stable as that cohort ages. So the current makeup of 16 to 29 year olds is a reasonable predictor of middle aged people in 20 to 30 years and of older people in 40 to 50 years. T Pott’s assertion isn’t strongly supported by the Survey. And when that cohort becomes parents, the evidence (over many decades) is that the next generation will be even less affiliated. But T Pott is right about older people predominating in… Read more »

Interested Observer
Interested Observer
6 years ago

“Low figures for the young are only partially generational, and partly age-related”

Perhaps. Finally, however, the general managers of symphony orchestras are realising that people don’t grow into Shostakovich, and their audience is starting to die without (outside London, at least) significant replacement. Perhaps it’s different for churches. Perhaps.

crs
crs
6 years ago

RG: Boy you are singing the conservatives tune here: “may actually be measuring the shedding of unnecessary baggage, ineffective governance structures.” General Convention in TEC, Title IV, 815 Second Avenue, Salary for the President of the HOD, CEOs, COOs — all of this is bloated and expensive. Let dioceses be free to do mission. If SCOTUS hears the SC case and were to rule in favour, the great sucking sound you would be hearing is the retreat of dioceses into their respective non-centralized regions to do mission and balance their budgets. Much as TEC was when I was a young… Read more »

Andrew Godsall
Andrew Godsall
6 years ago

“If SCOTUS hears the SC case and were to rule in favour, the great sucking sound you would be hearing is the retreat of dioceses into their respective non-centralized regions to do mission and balance their budgets.”

It’s a very BIG if of course Christopher, and doesn’t seem very likely. But given your following observation, by the same token wouldn’t it be better to let Anglican Provinces like Brazil make their own decisions about ss marriage, as they have done, without any adverse observations?

crs
crs
6 years ago

“Same sex marriage is coming to the Anglican tradition my friend.”

Of course it is. It is already here. Your song book is signed.

That isn’t the issue. At issue is how wide that Anglican Tradition swath will be. If you are happy with 20% and a divided AC, you will get your wish!

And there will be your TEC…TEC..TEC

crs
crs
6 years ago

Your comment, AG, reflects the general wisdom (SCOTUS hears about 1% of the submissions made to it). Notable therefore was the announcement a month back that, together with another Johns v Wolff case, SCOTUS would meet in conference to review the TEC v SC case on 7 June — last Thursday. The fact that state courts have held differently on this matter may be relevant to their decision. TEC adopted the tactic of holding that SCSC did not decide on the basis of Jones v Wolff — a high risk, dubious, move. If 4 judges decide they want to hear… Read more »

crs
crs
6 years ago

RG: Glad Leonard Cohen is helping you.

What are the odds of ACoC survival as an institution?

Jeremy
Jeremy
6 years ago

Having read all the opinions in the South Carolina decision, it seems obvious that the justices were quick to base their reasoning on state law, not federal law.
So I’m not sure why it’s “high risk” to characterise that decision as the majority characterised it.
We shall know tomorrow.

Jeremy
Jeremy
6 years ago

And now we know–the United States Supreme Court has denied certiorari, meaning that the prior decision of the Supreme Court of South Carolina stands.

See here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/061118zor_aplc.pdf

crs
crs
6 years ago

I disagree Jeremy and TX and Illinois make clear that Jones v Wolff remains a disputed federal ruling at state level. That said, TEC has won and it is now their duty before God to take the diocese over and make it work. I am in Paris today and away from the news, but somone forwarded the results that EDSC people thought was likely. Having almost lost my wife last year to lung and heart problems I know that life has its life and death struggles. The clergy and people in EDSC will learn from God how they will make… Read more »

Jeremy
Jeremy
6 years ago

“Jones v Wolff remains a disputed federal ruling at state level.”

In Jones v. Wolf (one “f”), the United States Supreme Court interpreted the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Have you ever heard of something called the Supremacy Clause?

Or are you refighting the Civil War all over again?

crs
crs
6 years ago

https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/cases/jones-v-wolf

Here is a thumbnail that might help you Jeremy. TX and Ill ruled that an accessiion clause did not establish a trust and Jones v Wolf had called for neutral principles of law to be applied.

Civil War? Supremacy Clause? Sorry, but this is so far afield as to confuse yet further.

Have a good day.

Andrew Godsall
Andrew Godsall
6 years ago

Christopher:

I am sorry that the breakaway diocese lost their call for appeal, but it was obviously not a huge surprise.

My question to you remains: how does it seem right to you that groups of churches like these may break away and still call themselves Anglican, but when a province like Brazil makes a reasoned decision, as outlined in the topic of this thread, you somehow suggest they are not right to do so?

crs
crs
6 years ago

Can you show where I have said Brazil does not have a right to something?

I also find it strange that people view the decision re SC something the diocese is shocked by. No, they believed their church homes were their own and fought long odds for that. Families will do that.

We will have to see now how that plays out on the ground.

Simon Sarmiento
6 years ago

This thread on Brazil got somewhat derailed onto South Carolina. Now we have a new thread on SC, please no more comments here about South Carolina.

Andrew Godsall
Andrew Godsall
6 years ago

“Can you show where I have said Brazil does not have a right to something?”

Yes Christopher. Review your comment of 1032 on 5th June. Or are you now saying that Brazil can happily go along this line?

Make your choice. You can’t really have it both ways. Either dioceses and Provinces are free to follow their conscience and still be Anglicans, or they are not. What works or South Carolina must also work for Brazil, n’cest pas?

Crs
Crs
6 years ago

You have a creative imagination, AG! I said it will cause a division in that comment. You claim I said they haven’t the right. Of course they do. And with choices there are consequences.

Cynthia
Cynthia
6 years ago

John Bunyan: “the Jesus who had some firmly challenging words to say, among other things, about marriage – marriage of a man and a woman” Talk about misunderstanding!!! The strong words were all about divorce!!! And about the fate of women who were cast out of the protection of a male household. The man and woman bit, used to support heterosexual marriage to the exclusion of gay marriage, is ridiculous as men could have up to 5 wives! To take Jesus out of that context as an excuse for homophobic exclusion doesn’t seem intellectually honest. Jesus had “firmly challenging words”… Read more »

crs
crs
6 years ago

Incidentally, I think Brazil, ACoC, SEC, TEC et al doing what they want to and EDSC and the major regions of the AC the same is the where we are/are headed and I am not sure why you’d think otherwise. I believe we are witnessing a major division and it would be better to accept that and not coerce dioceses in TEC or Provinces or any other segment into having to fall in line. That has been my consistent point on this thread and eslewhere. I do not think Anglicanism is sustainable as a drumbed up set of artifical compromises.… Read more »

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