Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves Sets Same-Sex Marriage Guidelines

June 9, 2008

Same-gender couples may have a civil marriage in an Episcopal church in the Diocese of El Camino Real provided that an Episcopal priest does not officiate and the Book of Common Prayer is not used. Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves issued the guidelines to clergy late last week.

The guidelines, which also permit an Episcopal priest to celebrate Holy Eucharist and bless the union after the civil ceremony, are similar to those developed by Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE, of Massachusetts, the only other state where same-sex marriage is legally recognized. Bishop Shaw was among a number of people with whom Bishop Gray-Reeves reported consulting prior to announcing the change in policy.

“These guidelines are not a tremendous change from our previous guidelines, but rather an addition that helps us live into a new reality,” Bishop Gray-Reeves wrote. “As the national church proceeds toward full sacramental inclusion, so shall our diocese. As with all couples, your discernment and discretion is integral to the process of determining the suitability of blessing the marriage.”

While rejoicing in the California Supreme Court decision declaring unconstitutional laws limiting marriage to heterosexuals, Bishop Gray-Reeves said she would be appointing a task force as a way of shifting the current focus of public debate. the rest image