The Orthodox Church in America Holy Synod's 21 July 2022 statement teaching that marriage is reserved to one man and one woman and that any other sexual expression cannot be blessed by the Church, while affirming pastoral care for those who experience same-sex attraction.
Facts
Assessment
Reliability Tier1
The Holy Synod of Bishops of one canonical Orthodox jurisdiction (the Orthodox Church in America), issuing its own doctrinal statement in its own name, adopted at its 20th All-American Council, 21 July 2022. It speaks authoritatively for its own jurisdiction; it is cited here for Eastern Orthodoxy broadly because its content matches, without contradiction, the OCA's own 1980 council statement and a 1984 published Orthodox statement, both confirmed via an independent compilation page, and no dissenting position from any other major Orthodox jurisdiction was found. That corroboration is named rather than assumed. NotesTeaches that marriage is monogamous and heterosexual, reflecting the union of Christ and the Church; that sexual relationships are blessed only within marriage between one man and one woman; and that any other sexual expression "is by its nature disordered, and cannot be blessed by the Church in any way." Affirms pastoral care and love for those who experience same-sex attraction alongside the doctrinal position. Does not describe a separate ordination bar in so many words, but no path to ordination or to a blessed union exists for a member in a same-sex relationship under this teaching.
Citation
PublisherOrthodox Church in America
Publication Year2022
URLhttps://www.oca.org/holy-synod/statements/holy-synod/holy-synod-issues-statement-on-same-sex-relationships-and-sexual-identity
Source TypeOfficial doctrinal statement
Custodian
Custodian SourceYes
Custodian BodyOrthodox Church in America, Holy Synod of Bishops
Custodian BasisA canonical Orthodox jurisdiction's own Holy Synod, issuing its own doctrinal statement on its own teaching in its own name.
Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
This source names Americas directly: "The Orthodox Church in America Holy Synod's 21 July 2022 statement teaching that marriage is reserved to one man and one woman and that any other sexual expression cannot be blessed by the Church..."
This source names Orthodox Church in America directly: "The Orthodox Church in America Holy Synod's 21 July 2022 statement teaching that marriage is reserved to one man and one woman and that any other sexual expression cannot be blessed by the Church..."
Claims Backed By This Source (15 claims)
This source backs 15 claims across the atlas. As facts: 12 well-attested. As cited relationships: 2 holds. Plus 1 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.
Disposition By Topic
- Sources, 12 claims: 10 well-attested, 2 holds.
- Denominations, 3 claims: 2 well-attested, 1 general references.
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