The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, Episcopal Bishop of Olympia, reflected in an e-mail over his church’s historic votes over the past two days. Rickel voted for the “holy covenant” and has endorsed same-sex marriage, which Washington will vote on this November. He said:
“It had to be a most gratifying day for gay and lesbian people, who share a deep and abiding love, in fidelity, for one another. Their journey has been long and many of them may not feel this is all they would like to see, but most present here are surely gratified this day.”
The clergy delegates to the General Convention voted 76 percent to approve the new liturgy. It garnered a 78 percent “yes” vote among lay delegates. The convention is divided into a House of Bishops and a House of Delegates, the latter elected from each of more than 100 dioceses.