The Rev. David Lovelace is back from the Episcopal General Convention in Indianapolis and briefed his congregation Sunday on the changes he supported.
Namely, the convention proposal to bless same-sex relationships.
“I think it’s about time we say, ‘We respect your relationship,’” Lovelace told the congregation at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in York.
Read our story here.
The Episcopal General Convention is divided into two voting bodies, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. The House of Bishops approved the rite for same-sex unions 111-41 with three abstentions last Monday. It passed in the House of Deputies with about 80 percent approval the following day.
The blessing can be performed if the vestry board of the church approves, the reverend agrees to perform it without being pressured and the bishop approves, said the Rev. David Lovelace of St. John the Baptist.
Lovelace said he will perform the ceremony, which he stressed is not a marriage.
I think it’s a good move and a sign of progress. While I respect those who object to same-sex marriage on strong religious grounds, to me it is inevitable. Progress and history tells us gay marriage will be a reality soon.
Some at St. John the Baptist disagreed with the decision, but did not want to go on the record Sunday.
Other dissension came at the convention last week, when The Diocese of South Carolina left the convention in protest.
The diocese said it is not leaving the Episcopal Church, but will likely draft some form of official protest.
That seems like a mild controversy on what has been a pretty controversial issue.
For something different, a change, Google First Scandal. It’s relevant. Very.