Church weddings for gay Episcopalians?

Video: Bp. Andrew Smith of Connecticut

by Michael Paulson
July 24, 2009

In Tuesday's paper, I had a story taking an early look at what the Episcopal dioceses in the states where same-sex marriage is legal -- New England and Iowa -- will do now that the Episcopal Church, at its general convention last week, granted more leeway to bishops in those dioceses. The bishops I spoke with said they are still pondering their next steps, but they are clearly looking for ways to go further than they have in the past in allowing celebrations of same-sex weddings in Episcopal churches.

Here is the relevant part of C056, the resolution adopted by the Episcopal Church's general convention on liturgies for blessings of same-sex unions:

"Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church." the rest