September 14, 2010

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia plans to hold five sessions in the next several weeks titled "Listen and Be Heard: Faithful Sexuality and the Blessing of Same-Gender Unions."

Bishop Shannon Johnston said in a Sept. 14 letter to the diocese that he has heard a variety of responses since he first called for the sessions during his 2010 convention address.

"I have heard from people who feel that this is all about liberalism and who simply cannot believe that we would even have such discussions in the first place," Johnston said in his letter. "At the same time, I have heard from others who feel that this is all about stalling and who simply cannot believe that we are having yet more talk. Very many of you are uncomfortable with extreme positions and describe yourselves as being ‘in the middle' with understanding and sympathies for both sides. Many others are largely confused in profoundly mixed feelings."

Johnston said he senses that "a large number" of diocesan members feel that they "have not had the opportunity to be heard and to listen on these issues in a safe environment."

The bishop acknowledged that the diocese has "some very painful history of such sessions in our diocese" dating to 2003 when "we experienced a substantial amount of inappropriate anger." However, he said, the success of a series of town-hall style meetings in 2009 began to heal that history.

"I believe that the listening process we are going to undertake should prevent a repeat of that difficult chapter," he said, adding that the bulk of the time will be in small groups in which each person present will have the opportunity to speak and be heard in answer to specific questions.

Johnston said he wants information from the session to be "gathered in a way that I can use it as a reference in leadership as your bishop" and added that the opinions expressed in all groups will be posted for all to see and consider by the end of each meeting. He will speak at the end of each meeting, Johnston said.

"I need to hear from you, and you should be assured to know that you are, by this process, reaching your diocesan leadership in a truly meaningful way," he said. "The focus of these sessions is to listen and to be heard; it is not on convincing, cajoling, or changing one another's minds. These forums will not be open-microphone crossfire debates, nor will they be voting sessions."

The bishop noted that the sessions are "separate and distinct" from the work of a diocesan convention-empowered group of clergy and lay people that will recommend consistent standards should the blessing of same-gender unions be authorized.

"Please be assured that the listening sessions are not simply for show," Johnston said.

Episcopal News Service