The Right Rev. Thomas C. Ely, the bishop of the Episcopal Church in Vermont, is one of six bishops from states recognizing same-sex marriage to offer a resolution urging the church to allow them to extend a key marriage ritual to gay and lesbian couples.
The resolution will be introduced and debated at the Episcopal Church’s General Convention, which begins today in Anaheim, Calif., an event held every three years that features hundreds of church leaders and members debating the future of their faith.
Ely, who testified in favor of Vermont’s same-sex marriage law during legislative hearings this year, said he and the other supportive bishops hope the church will allow them to adapt a marriage prayer book to include same-sex married couples.
“Starting in September, how Vermont defines marriage will be a lot different than how the church defines marriage,” Ely said during a telephone interview from California on Tuesday. “What we are seeking is some flexibility so that same-gender married couples can have their unions blessed.”
This is why, though I live in Vermont, I worship in the Diocese of Albany.
A priest canonically resident in the Diocese of Vermont would have to affirm to me quite clearly that he follows and preaches “…the Faith once given…” before I would worship and accept the sacraments in his church.
Too bad. There is a beautiful little Episcopal Church just 1.25 miles from our farm house and a beautiful church built of cut-stone just 19 miles from our house.