INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Gay and lesbian Episcopalians are celebrating the July 10 approval of liturgical rites for blessing same-sex couples. But conservatives are threatening to take “drastic” steps to distance themselves from the Episcopal Church.
Episcopalians meeting at their triennial General Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., overwhelmingly approved the new rites. Lay members and priests voted 171–41 in favor of the same-sex blessings. Bishops voted 111–41, with three abstentions.
In doing so, the Episcopal Church joined a small but growing number of religious groups in the U.S. that have sanctioned rites for celebrating same-sex unions.
The same-sex rites resemble a marriage ceremony, with an exchange of vows and rings — but are not, technically, a wedding. Nor are the blessings included in the Book of Common Prayer, the Anglican Communion’s official book of services and rites, which defines marriage as between a man and woman.
The diocese of South Carolina’s delegation left the General Convention in protest July 11.
Under guidelines approved with the same-sex blessings, bishops do not have to allow them in their diocese. Nor can priests be forced to perform them.
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