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

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Los Angeles Times

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.

Bruno's declaration is not expected to have a major effect on Episcopal churches in Southern California. Many have been blessing gay unions for years. But he has now made it official.

"The practice has not changed. The policy has. . . . It's sort of like 'coming out,'" said the Rev. Susan Russell, a lesbian priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. Russell also is president of Integrity USA, a group representing the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the Episcopal Church....

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-episcopal8-2008dec08,0,7657390.story

[myrna minx]

1. K&R n/t

[motely36]

2. K&R

I love my Episcopal Church!

[hendo]

3. YAY

good for him! Now that's leading by example, and expressing the true meaning of his religion.

[Rebubula]

4. If I were...

..to find myself back in the church, it would be the Episcopal Church.

My grandfather was a minister in the church for 40 years.

Good for them!!!

[silverweb]

5. Score one for the good guys!

Wonderful news.

[Bluenorthwest]

6. Rec'd in honor

of cool Episocaplians I've known!

[JerseygirlCT]

7. Good for him

They've got one (now gone!) stinker, and some other extremely cool bishops in CA!

[CatholicEdHead]

8. Good news!

[TheWraith]

9. Now have an Episcopal church sue, on the grounds that their blessing isn't recognized

By the government and granted the same weight that a blessing on a heterosexual couple would. Hence, their freedom of religion is being impinged upon.

[Luminous Animal]

10. Unfortunately, they can't call it marriage...

Given that marriage is a civil contract, the best enlightened churches can do is bless the unions. of gays and lesbians.

[Sultana]

11. FREAKING YEAH!

:bounce:

I'm Episcopalian :D