The communique from the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation, held August 1-6 in Canterbury features this nugget:
At this meeting, one session was set aside from the regular work of the IALC in response to a formal request from the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of The Episcopal Church (USA) – TEC – so that representatives from that Standing Commission could hear from IALC members in response to that Province’s exploratory theological rationale and liturgical principles for the development of rites for the blessing of committed same gender relationships. This time was set up as a ‘consultation within the Consultation.’
The Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers, chair of the Standing Commission was present at the meeting, as were commission members the Rt. Rev. Thomas Ely, Bishop of Vermont, and the Rev. Dr. Louis Weil.
In other news from the meeting:
The IALC focused on completing their work begun two years ago in Auckland and set forth in Rites Relating to Marriage: A Working Interim Document. This task was carried forward in this year’s session by three groups examining (1) the theology of marriage, (2) cultural contexts of marriage, and (3) the shape and elements of the ritual. The Report of this work will be circulated to the Provinces of the Anglican Communion, and to the Standing Committee of the Communion. It will also be published through the website of the Anglican Communion.