\u201cMany of us have committed ourselves and our church to being \u201d\u02dca house of prayer for all people,\u2019 as the Bible says, when all are truly welcome,\u201d\u009d [Presiding Bishop Michael] Curry said in remarks he later made available to Episcopal News Service.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur commitment to be an inclusive church is not based on a social theory or capitulation to the ways of the culture, but on our belief that the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross are a sign of the very love of God reaching out to us all. While I understand that many disagree with us, our decision regarding marriage is based on the belief that the words of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians are true for the church today: All who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, for all are one in Christ.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor so many who are committed to following Jesus in the way of love and being a church that lives that love, this decision will bring real pain,\u201d\u009d he said. \u201cFor fellow disciples of Jesus in our church who are gay or lesbian, this will bring more pain. For many who have felt and been rejected by the church because of who they are, for many who have felt and been rejected by families and communities, our church opening itself in love was a sign of hope. And this will add pain on top of pain.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n