by Justin Yawn, Anglican Ink
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we look forward to the election of our new bishop, we have been encouraged to prepare his or her way by filling in the valleys and smoothing out the roughness where we can. One of the Standing Committee’s main goals as the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese of Florida is to ensure our Constitutions and Canons, as well as our procedures and policies, follow the Episcopal Church’s Constitutions and Canons. Privately, we have been working hard these past few years to bring our diocese into compliance with these canons, but we would like to publicly clarify two important ways our diocese has come into alignment in practice and application.
On Marriage in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida
Canon I.18 “Of the Solemnization of Holy Matrimony” as amended by the 78th General Convention makes clear that marriage in The Episcopal Church is available to all couples who meet the canonical requirements, regardless of sex or gender.
While our diocesan practice has historically restricted marriage to unions between one man and one woman, per Article II.b of our Articles of Reincorporation and Canon 1, Section 1 of the Canons of the Diocese of Florida, the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church take precedence over diocesan affairs when they conflict.
What This Means for Our Clergy