The Episcopal Church, which has been strained by gay-rights issues since the election of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire eight years ago, is now divided over how to respond to the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York.
As a result, gay and lesbian Episcopalians will be allowed on Sunday to get married by priests in Brooklyn and Queens, but not in the Bronx or Manhattan or on Staten Island; in Syracuse but not in Albany.
That is because the church has not taken a firm position nationally on same-sex marriage, leaving local bishops with wide latitude to decide what priests may do when the law takes effect in New York State. In the state, with six Episcopal dioceses, the bishops are split: two have given the green light for priests to officiate at same-sex marriages, one has said absolutely not, two are undecided and one has staked out a middle ground, allowing priests to bless, but not officiate at, weddings of gay men and lesbians.
It makes certain bishops in NY look rather foolish. Rather, some bishops in NY are making themselves look rather foolish.
According to the canons (as pointed out in the article) and the BCP, Christian Marriage = Man + Woman.
Bishops and priests conducting wedding ceremonies should be brought up for discipline.
Otherwise:
Step 1. Approve a written doctrine that homosexual practice is no longer recognized as a sin. Also, ensure that there’s no dual standard (one set of rules for heterosexual couples, and another set of rules for homosexual couples, threesomes, etc.).
Step 2. Change the canons.
Step 3. Rewrite the BCP.