The standing committee of the Diocese of Dallas writes:
“The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation.” (BCP 423) If these words are true, then marriage is not a human institution or a social arrangement that has evolved over time. Scripture describes marriage as God’s idea, woven into nature and even imprinted upon the bodies of men and women. The creation account reaches its theological summit with the words, “Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
… The Diocese of Dallas has a canon on marriage that reads, in part, that “As used in this Diocese, the terms ‘Holy Matrimony’ and ‘Marriage’ shall refer to the exclusive physical and spiritual union of one man and one woman, by mutual consent of the heart, mind and will, and with the intent that it be lifelong. The blessing of sexual relationships between persons of the same sex is prohibited in churches, missions and congregations of this Diocese; and clergy persons resident or licensed in this Diocese are prohibited from performing such blessings in any venue.”
The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas has an important part to play in the larger church, seeking to be true to the Episcopal Church’s constitution, to the Prayer Book, and to the wisdom and truth of Holy Scripture. We also acknowledge that within our diocese we are not altogether of one mind, and we therefore call on all baptized believers to extend grace, respect, and care to one another, “speaking the truth in love.”
