Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Episcopal bishop praises 'fundamental right of all people to marry'

California's Episcopal bishop has praised the state Supreme Court ruling that gives same-sex couples the right to marry and is calling on the faithful to defeat a November ballot measure that would restrict marriage to unions of one man and one woman.

"For far too long the onus has fallen on marginalized people to bear the burden of inequalities that exist within the Church, and the decision by our state's Supreme Court has given us the opportunity to level the playing field," Right Rev. Marc Andrus wrote in a pastoral letter dated June 9. The letter appeared on the Diocese of California Web site, episcopalbayarea.org.

Beginning Tuesday, the diocese will publish advertisements celebrating the ruling and inviting same-sex couples to Episcopal churches for pre-marital counseling.

Andrus encouraged all couples to marry first in a secular service, then to partake in a church blessing, as is the Episcopal pattern.

A rift over same-sex marriage and ordination has rocked the church in some regions, particularly in Africa.

In his pastoral letter, Andrus said the diocese's leaders will combat the November ballot initiative, which "will attempt to take away the rights recently recognized by the California Supreme Court." He urged all Episcopals to volunteer as deputy marriage commissioners.

"There are over 4,000 civil same-sex marriages planned in a short period of time in the city of

San Francisco alone and the city is asking for help in meeting demand," his letter says. "I intend to volunteer for this at my earliest opportunity."
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