[edow] Bishop announces support for D.C. marriage legislation

[Church House News]

BISHOP CHANE ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF DC's SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LEGISLATION

 

The Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of
Washington, today announced his support for legislation legalizing
same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. Chane made his
endorsement in a column on the Web site of The Washington Post:
http://tinyurl.com/yaze3xu

 

Noting that recent media coverage has pitted conservative Christians
against liberal secularists, the bishop articulated a Christian case for
same-sex marriage.

 

"I would say respectfully to my fellow Christians that people who deny
others the blessings they claim for themselves should not assume they
speak for the Almighty," Chane said. "The church has deepened its
understanding of the way in which faithful couples experience and embody
the love of the creator for creation. In so doing, it has put itself in
a position to consider whether same-sex couples should be allowed to
marry.

 

"Theologically, therefore, Christian support for same-sex marriage is
not a dramatic break with tradition, but a recognition that the church's
understanding of marriage has changed dramatically over 2,000 years. " 

 

Chane also praised the D.C. Council for its sensitivity to issues of
religious liberty. 

 

"[I]t's important to emphasize that the actions taken by the D.C.
Council do not address the religious meaning of marriage at all," he
wrote.  "The proposed legislation would not force any congregation to
change its religious teachings or bless any couple.  Our current laws do
not force any denomination to offer religious blessing to second
marriages, yet those marriages, like interfaith marriages, are equal in
the sight of the law even though some churches do not consider them
religiously valid. 

 

"D.C.'s proposed marriage equality law explicitly protects the religious
liberty of those who believe that God's love can be reflected in the
loving commitment between two people of the same sex and of those who do
not find God there. This is as it should be in a society so deeply
rooted in the principles of religious freedom and equality under the
law."

 

Like many Episcopal bishops, Chane permits the clergy in his diocese to
bless same-sex relationships. He said the diocese is examining the
church's canons to determine whether priests will be allowed to sign
marriage licenses if same-sex marriage becomes legal.

 

 

 

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