Episcopal Diocese of L.A. officially condones the blessing of gay unions

Though many churches in Southern California have been doing so for years, Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno endorses the rite as policy. It's not mandatory -- clergy may choose not to perform the practice.
By Jessica Garrison
December 8, 2008

The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has announced that church leaders can bless the unions of same-sex couples as a matter of policy.

The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, whose diocese encompasses Los Angeles County and five other Southern California counties, made the announcement Friday during a diocesan convention in Riverside.

Bruno acted just days after hundreds of conservative Episcopal congregations in North America formed a breakaway church amid a rift that began with the ordination of a gay bishop in New Hampshire five years ago. the rest