Source:  Episcopal Life Online

March 4, 2010

By Mary Frances Schjonberg

One day after same-gender marriage became legal in the District of Columbia, Diocese of Washington Bishop John Chane (left) said March 4 that Episcopal Church priests in the nation's capital may preside at those marriages.

"Through the grace of Holy Baptism, there are no second class members of the Body of Christ," Chane said in a news release. "We are of equal value in the eyes of God, and any one of us may be called by the Holy Spirit into holy relationships as well as Holy Orders."

Under guidelines set by Chane and released March 4, no priest is required to preside at such ceremonies.

Like some other Episcopal Church bishops, Chane already permitted the clergy in his diocese to bless same-gender relationships. He had previously said that the diocese had begun studying the church's canons to determine whether diocesan priests would be allowed to solemnize same-gender marriages and sign marriage licenses if and when same-gender marriage became legal in the district.

The Episcopal Church's General Convention last July passed Resolution C056, saying 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." . . .

Read the entire article here. 

Contribute

Your financial support is vital to the mission and ministry of the AAC as we STAND for faithful, orthodox Anglicanism in North America. We are thankful for the trust you place in the AAC.

How to make a contribution online: You can make your contributions online instantly. It's easy -- just fill in this secure form and press the "Proceed to Payment Information" button at the bottom.