With the Episcopal Church considering authorizing a rite for the blessing of same-gender relationships later this year, a Texas bishop has announced a plan to allow two congregations in his state choose whether to bless such relationships.

Diocese of Texas Bishop C. Andrew Doyle, who announced the plan Tuesday at a special meeting of diocesan clergy in Camp Allen, says the plan is to help unify the Diocese of Texas by addressing both liberal and traditional congregations' positions.

The bishop says he will vote against the resolution on same-gender rites and will abstain from voting on the election of bishops living in a same-gender partnership at the church's general convention taking place from July 5-12 . He also said he personally would not bless any same-gender covenant.
He says the plan, whose outline was made with the assistance of former Secretary of State James Baker starting in 2010, will not require additional debate or require approval.

The diocese says Doyle has received support for his leadership from both sides of the same-gender covenants matter.

"I have not asked people to change their positions or even to like the plan that I am setting before us," he said, according to the Episcopal News Service. "It is my deepest desire to offer a generous breadth of pastoral care for our members throughout the diocese.

The plan offers three options:

- Congregations may take no action one way or the other

- Traditional congregations or rectors may state they will not in rites for blessing persons of the same gender, sponsor ordination for anyone or employ any clergy who are in a non-celibate relationship outside of Holy Matrimony

- Following the General Convention, a congregation in Houston and another in Austin will be allowed to bless same-gender covenants as long as both the rector and congregation support it and complete an educational program.

The diocese says that since the state of Texas does not recognize same-gender unions, no representation is being made the rites create or solemnize any marriage, civil union or other legal relationship.

Bishop Doyle added:

"I hold our work for the Lord Jesus Christ to be paramount in who we are and in everything we do. Our mission and ministry have been dogged by our disagreements and conflict over the blessing of same-gender couples for too long at the expense of the mission of the gospel. I pray that this plan will help to guide us beyond conflict and give us the ability to refocus our attention on the hurting world around us. I am hopeful that we will learn from one another and deepen our respect and love for one another throughout this process."

Upcoming General Convention

The first of two resoultions related to the matter asks the general convention to commend a report on same-gender rites for study and to allow trial use of the rite beginning on December 2. the trial use period would include an open process for review and a report to the General Conference in 2015.

Some Episcopal churches where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal have already allowed bishops since 2009 to use their discretion in allowing clergy to officiate at ceremonies.

A second resolution for the general convention asks to create a task force of no more than 12 people to explore various aspects of marriage, allowing the church to studie issues raised by the marriage equality debate in civil society.