This would seem to be a natural consequence to the legalization of same-sex unions in those states that have approved them... Hat tip to Standing on my Head.
(Christian Post) - In the wake of gay marriage soon becoming a legal institution in the state of New York, the Episcopal Bishop of Long Island, has ordered that homosexual priests wed their partners.
Long Island Episcopal Bishop Lawrence Provenzano has put his foot down against gay clergy who residing in homosexual relationships, and has given a nine month deadline for them to either get married or stop living together, according to the News Observer.
“I need to be mindful that the church has always asked people to live in committed monogamous, faithful relationships. I won’t allow heterosexual clergy to live in a rectory or church housing without the benefit of marriage. When one puts it in that context, then you see how it all begins to make sense,” said Provenzano.
Reverend Christopher Hofer, pastor of the Episcopal Church of St. Jude agrees with Provenzano, “I think his statement was not only fair, but beyond generous. It gives people time, acknowledging that there’s a financial component involved and recognizing that some may not choose to live together.
“Now that the state is recognizing civil marriage, we as priests, perhaps deacons too, who are in committed relationships, have a choice: we either live what we preach to become civilly married or we live apart,” he said.
According to SRN news, no other Episcopal dioceses in states with same-gender marriage have set an explicit deadline for gay clergy to marry their live in partners.
Many are concerned about what the repercussions are for the priests who do not conform to the new rule, but Provenzano does not have a set punishment for those that retaliate. He said, “No one will be disciplined for failing to meet the deadline.”
Same-sex marriage will become a legal in the state of New York on Sunday, July 24th.
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The good bishop says, “No one will be disciplined for failing to meet the deadline.” If this is so, then evidently there is no deadline just the bishop's toothless suggestion.
ReplyDeleteA very Episcopalian approach I'd say.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I was thinking.
ReplyDeleteThis is so very backward. This man completely fails to see the distinction between civil marriage and sacramental marriage. The fact that a state may have chosen to give certain status in law to same-sex relationships means absolutely nothing for the application of Christian Marriage to the relationship between two Christians. They are not the same thing, and two people of the same sex, who may live in the same home but chastely should not be forced to take on a civil union simply because they are Christians. The suggestion is ludicrous.
ReplyDeleteIs anyone else disheartened by the observation that as far as the Episcopalians go, this is the strongest affirmation of traditional sexual morality we have heard in a long while?
ReplyDeleteThis is typical of the Anglican approach. Do whatever the State (or monarch) says. No news here.
ReplyDeleteQuite so!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Han on this one. The most horrifying thing is that this policy can be looked at as a step in the right direction for TEC
ReplyDelete