The two presiding officers of General Convention have again written [PDF] to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, this time with an explanation of Resolution C056 that calls for the collection and development of theological resources for the blessing of same-gender blessings and allows bishops to provide "a generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this church." The letter was also sent to the Anglican Communion's 38 primates.

"While the resolution honors the diversity of theological perspectives within the Episcopal Church, it does not authorize public liturgical rites for the blessing of same-gender unions," wrote Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson in their July 17 letter to Williams. "The Book of Common Prayer remains unchanged, the marriage rites are unaltered and the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer define marriage as a 'solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God.'"

Resolution C056 was passed on July 17 by the 76th General Convention meeting in Anaheim, California. It acknowledges "changing circumstances" that call for a renewed pastoral response from the church for considering same-gender blessings, including state laws on same-gender marriage, civil-unions and domestic partnerships. The resolution also authorizes the House of Bishops, in conjunction with the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, to devise an open process that will invite churchwide participation in collecting and developing theological resources and liturgies. The commission is to report its efforts to the next General Convention in 2012.

"This resolution is seen as a continuation of the pastoral response and listening process asked for and encouraged by successive General Conventions and Lambeth Conferences," the presiding officers wrote.

"It is now left to each bishop to determine what such a generous pastoral response might mean in her or his diocesan context. This resolution neither forces nor demands any bishop, diocesan convention, congregation or clergy to take any action it considers contrary to its will. The resolution honors and acknowledges this church's continuing commitment to and honoring of theological diversity and the inclusion of a variety of points of view on matters of human sexuality."

[In point of fact, public rites of blessing did not cease, even under Resolution B033 of 2006. As this resource page by Integrity makes clear, at least a dozen dioceses have "official, written policies allowing the blessing of same-sex relationships." — Douglas LeBlanc]