….because the Episcopal Church canons and the Book of Common Prayer describe marriage as between a man and woman, some bishops have not embraced same-sex blessings or weddings. Bishop Gordon Paul Scruton of the \u00c2\u00adDiocese of Western Massachusetts, does not allow priests to do either.<\/p>\n
Scruton, who is retiring Dec. 1, and Bishop-elect Douglas John Fisher said through a spokeswoman Thursday that they planned to issue a joint statement following the General Convention vote. They did not indicate what it might say, and they declined a request for an interview beforehand.<\/p>\n
At the last diocesan convention in October 2011, Scruton said the diocese would move toward allowing the blessing of same-sex unions if the \u00c2\u00adGeneral Convention adopted the new liturgy this summer, said Steve Symes, diocesan \u00c2\u00adcoordinator of Integrity USA, a group within the church working for the full inclusion of gay people.<\/p>\n