I have always had an impression that we have a very strong tradition on social values in things like divorce and remarriage, chastity and premarital sex. Bearing on all that I'd like to ask you guys: what resources from Anglican authors have you found particularly enlightening on these topics? I hope this can be a lively discussion, thanks!
I enjoy homily 28 of the 2d Book of Homilies: Of the State of Matrimony http://www.anglicanlibrary.org/homilies/bk2hom18.htm
Doesn't ACNA have a canon on something or other about it? I remember reading it some time ago but now can't find it.
Ah yes here it is- ACNA Canons, title II, canon 8. sec.3 Of Standards of Sexual Morality and Ethics This is the great canon used to justify acna opposition to abortions.
Thanks, that's not exactly what I was asking about marriage although is relevant to general social issues in the church so that's good. Perfect.
What's the Anglican position on marriages outside the church? For example what does the church teach about marriages between a baptized non Anglican Christian and unbaptized person that happens outside the church? Is it considered valid? Or two baptized Christians who might be of a different faith than Anglicanism?
Here's what the Episcopal Church says about Holy matrimony: Concerning the Service Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God. In the Episcopal Church it is required that one, at least, of the parties must be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church. A priest or a bishop normally presides at the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, because such ministers alone have the function of pronouncing the nuptial blessing, and of celebrating the Holy Eucharist. When both a bishop and a priest are present and officiating, the bishop should pronounce the blessing and preside at the Eucharist. A deacon, or an assisting priest, may deliver the charge, ask for the Declaration of Consent, read the Gospel, and perform other assisting functions at the Eucharist. Where it is permitted by civil law that deacons may perform marriages, and no priest or bishop is available, a deacon may use the service which follows, omitting the nuptial blessing which follows The Prayers. It is desirable that the Lessons from the Old Testament and the Epistles be read by lay persons. In the opening exhortation (at the symbol of N.N.), the full names of the persons to be married are declared. Subsequently, only their Christian names are used." -Book of Common Prayer, 1979