New York–After same-sex marriage becomes legal here on July 24, gay priests with partners in the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island will head to the altar. They have to. Their bishop set a nine-month deadline for them to marry or stop living together.
Next door, meanwhile, the Episcopal bishop of New York says he also expects gay clergy in committed relationships to wed “in due course.” Still, this longtime supporter of gay rights says churches in his diocese are off limits for gay weddings until he receives clearer liturgical guidance from the national denomination.
As more states legalize same-sex marriage, religious groups with ambiguous policies on homosexuality are divided over whether they should allow the ceremonies in local congregations. The decision is especially complex in the mainline Protestant denominations that have yet to fully resolve their disagreements over the Bible and homosexuality. Many have taken steps toward acceptance of gay ordination and same-gender couples without changing the official definition of marriage in church constitutions and canons. With the exception of the United Church of Christ, which approved gay marriage six years ago, none of the larger mainline churches has a national liturgy for same-sex weddings or even blessing ceremonies.
In many churches there is no debate at all.
Yup, no need for debate–the Church’s teachings are already clear, except for those who are trying to get around them.
What is dysfunctional is that the Episcopal bishop of New York is saying this at the same time that another Episcopal clergyman is wondering why his denomination is collapsing through the floor.
It is not rocket science – it can be found in 2 Chronicles 7:14-22 here. It is the message of Judges and most of the Old Testament, of God’s people who he has claimed and called, straying from Him, and disaster ensuing.
The answer is also not rocket science and can be found in 2 Chronicles 7:14:
[blockquote]If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.[/blockquote]
It is a fourpart process: humbling ourselves, praying, seeking God’s face and turning from our wicked ways. Then God makes three promises to us – that He will hear, He will forgive and He will heal the land. It seems to me that his applies to all of us – to individuals, and to nations, and to churches.
That would be quite a lot for the episcopal bishop of New York and TEC to take on board, but they have been told, as have we all.
It is not rocket science.
Pageantmaster, you are not wrong. And, from where I sit, it’s the first part of that four-part that is overly difficult for some. I don’t claim perfection, but I find it appalling.