California Bishops Weigh Ruling’s Canonical, Pastoral Implications

May 22, 2008

The recent California Supreme Court decision that declared unconstitutional a state law defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman raises canonical, prayer book and pastoral questions which must be addressed, said Bishop J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles.

Bishop Bruno wrote the clergy and laity of the diocese May 22 after being contacted by some clergy and lay leaders requesting clarification. The decision, which removes restrictions on state recognition of same-sex marriages, becomes effective June 15. Bishop Bruno will be on sabbatical leave until June 3.

“I have been in contact with the bishops of the dioceses of California and San Diego, and we will be working together with other bishops of California to meet and discuss how we proceed. I will keep you informed and will act with all possible dispatch while attending to the canonical and pastoral issues the decision affect,” Bishop Bruno wrote. the rest

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