Subscribe to Breaking News
Loading ...Calif. Episcopal bishops oppose gay marriage ban
09.10.2008 5:29pm EDT
(San Francisco, Calif.) California’s six Episcopal bishops issued a statement Wednesday opposing Proposition 8, a proposed amendment to the state constitution which would ban same-sex marriage.
“As Episcopal Bishops of California, we are moved to urge voters to vote “No” on Proposition 8t,” the statement said.“[F]aithful gays and lesbians have entered into marriage as the principal way in which they show their love, devotion and life-long commitment to each other. Furthermore, marriage provides these couples the same legal rights and protections that heterosexual couples take for granted. Proposition 8 would reverse the court’s decision and withdraw a right given. Proponents of Proposition 8 have suggested that this amendment to the Constitution would protect marriage.”
The bishops went on to say in the statement “We do not believe that marriage of heterosexuals is threatened by same-sex marriage. Rather, the Christian values of monogamy, commitment, love, mutual respect and witness of monogamy are enhanced for all by providing this right to gay and straight alike. Society is strengthened when two people who love each other choose to enter into marriage, engaged in a lifetime of disciplined relationship building that serves as a witness to the importance of love and commitment.”
The statement noted there are differences among the state’s bishops over the role of the church in same-sex marriages, but “we are adamant that justice demands that same-sex civil marriage continue in our state and advocate voting “No” on Proposition 8.”
In May, the California Supreme Court overturned the ban on gay marriage and conservative groups began a ballot measure to amend the state constitution to bar same-sex unions.
The battle over same-sex marriage began in 2004 when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Thousands of gay and lesbian couples were married before the California Supreme Court declared Newsom had acted illegally and nullified the marriages that resulted.
The debate over same-sex marriage in the state then moved to the courts, finally ending with the high court ruling.
Recent public opinion polls suggest that the amendment is in trouble.
The Public Policy Institute of California released a survey in August showing 54 percent oppose ending gay marriage, compared with 40 percent who support it. The result was similar to the findings of a Field Poll in July, which found that 51 percent of likely California voters opposed ending gay marriage, while 42 percent said they supported it.
The statement was signed by The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Bishop of California; The Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner, Bishop of Northern California; The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of Los Angeles; The Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, Bishop of El Camino Real; The Rt. Rev. Jerry A. Lamb, Provisional Bishop of San Joaquin; and The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, Bishop of San Diego.
It is always so refreshing, and in a sense, a wonderful validation to gay couples to know that their love and commitment to each other is gradually being recognized, respected and treated with all of the same components that a heterosexual relationship enjoys. And for that recognition to come from religious leaders, in itself, gives the community the courage and fortitude to persevere towards equality. At this point, it appears that Proposition 8 may not survive, but the gay community cannot become complacent, there is still so very much work to be done not only in California but throughout the entire United States of America if they are to achieve the equality that is a reality in Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Canada, South Africa with Norway stepping up to the post in January 2009.
I love it. The Archbishop of Cantebury is sure to throw a hissy fit over this. He has been demanding that liberal Anglican bishops place a “moratorium” on blessing same-sex unions and ordaining gay priests. This letter comes in direct defiance of that.
What hypocrisy!!! The Presiding Bishop has endorsed the lambeth conference moratorium on conseration of gay bishops and blessing of same sex couples. Thus, the “Church’s” position refuses to marry us in the Church in California. This statement is nothing but a business decision to appease the gay and lesbian congregant pledgers who contribute a substantial sum of talent and money to the California dioceses. I for one got off the back of the bus after the last general convention when I was led to believe the Church would adopt a full affirming policy, which did not materialize.
“Rather, the Christian values of monogamy, commitment, love, mutual respect and witness of monogamy are enhanced for all by providing this right to gay and straight alike.”
These aren’t just ‘Christian’ values, or even just religious ones. And the fight isn’t over marriage, anyway, and being allowed to marry. It’s a civil rights issue. Any consenting adult should have the right to legally bind his or her self, for whatever reasons, to whomever they choose. If any one person has that right, then all have it, pointless religious twaddle aside. If any one person is stripped of, or not granted this right, then no one person has it. There is no ’separate, but equal’.
It is interesting that the article did not mention the secession of most of the San Joaquin churches from the Episcopal Church over the issue of gay rights.
The statement and stance that the California Episcopal Bishops have made is important to many of us of faith. It’s unfortunate that some seem to see the need to belittle and denigrate the stance.
That is WONDERFUL, am non-practicing R Catholic…may change church affiliation. SOON!
If the people vote to ban same-sex marriages, I think we should start a campaign to eliminate divorce. Let all people who marry stay married for life. If they are caught in an adluterous situation, they should have to spend 5 or 10 years in jail. If any hetero is caught in premarital sex, then they should have to marry that person. If they depose samre-sex marriage, then they should suffer the consequences of a life of forced marriage.
And if it is all about birthing children, perhaps we should make sterile couples dissolve their marriage, including those whose wives reach menopause.
Give them what they ask for! And give it to them good.
amen i totally agree once you get married thats it your married for life.and since the republicians wont even grant an abortion in rape cases then there should be no exception in marriages of straigts. no divorce
As a straight woman who fully supports inclusion of all in all sacraments of the church, I could not be more proud to live in California.
I certainly would support making divorce for gay or straight people more difficult. I don’t believe in the concept of no fault divorces.
quote “It is interesting that the article did not mention the secession of most of the San Joaquin churches from the Episcopal Church over the issue of gay rights.” (end fo quote)
I’d like to point out that nationally the Episcopal church has or is loosing – the data I can find, between 3/4% and 1 and 1/3% of their congregations. When it is all over 95% of their people will be on the side of righteousness and the meaning that we are ALL made in God’s image, and it is not for us to judge.
So, let those who fail the most basic meaning of the Love of God go. Rowan Williams, who didn’t have the u know what to stand up for what is right, will end up wondering why they lost the US branch of their church.
The situation is little different then when the Anglican church was formed to split itself off from the tyranny of Rome, which continues to this day.
And as the great great majority of the Episcopal church moves to the basic belief in the dignity and equality of all, so will the more liberal branches of the Lutheran and Presbyterian churches, just as the Jewish Conservatives have also done, along with the Jewish Reform, and the United Churches of Christ, Universalist-Unitarians, MCC, etc.
History is being written. Twenty years from now, degrading gay people will be looked at as being little different then doing the same to Blacks and Jews. It won’t be all gone, but it will be the province of the red-necks and ignoranti who feel so inadequate themselves, sexually or otherwise.
And hopefully the stubborn churches, who dare not admit to their terrorism and lies, will get their due anyway. They will end up preaching to dust in the pews and the dust of their departed. And their names will be in listed in history books as hypocrits in the name of God, and used as an example of where religion went terribly, terribly wrong.
We, as a heterosexual couple, are excited to be living in a time which will see marriage for ALL. It’s good to have strong leaders stand up for equality, just as Gandhi and MLK. In fact we’re so passionate about it, we’re creating a website to affirm ALL couples in happy, healthy, committed relationships. Presently we have a pre-launch blog set up to gather feedback on what resources couples would like. Connection + AFFECTION = CAFFECTION. Some day all Caffected couples will enjoy equal rights.
Caffectionately yours,
Mariah & Byron Edgington
caffection.blogspot.com
LOrion, speaking as a non-cradle Episcopalian gay man who started attending Episcopal services at age 16, I can tell you you’ll feel very much at home as there is a lot of similarity between the two forms of services.
I would agree with Lindsay. Much of the Liturgy is the same between the Holy Roman Church and the Anglican Church.
We Episcopalians often refer to ourselves the the “Liberal Catholics”