Episcopal Bishops Oppose California Gay Marriage Ban

UPDATED: The Los Angeles Times is now reporting that six (6) Episcopal bishops are opposing passage of Proposition 8. Here are some highlights:

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[I]n a joint statement issued Wednesday at the diocese headquarters in Echo Park, the six bishops said that "society is strengthened when two people who love each other choose to enter into marriage, engaged in a lifetime of disciplined relationship building that serves as a witness to the importance of love and commitment."

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The statement was signed by Bruno and Bishops Marc Handley Andrus, Barry L. Beisner, Mary Gray-Reeves, Jerry A. Lamb and James R. Mathes. (Three assistant bishops -- Chester L. Talton, Sergio Carranza and Steven Charleston -- also signed.)The bishops concluded: "We believe that this continued access [to marriage] promotes Jesus' ethic of love, giving and hope."

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According to the joint statement, some of the six bishops believe it is appropriate for priests to officiate at marriage ceremonies and pronounce blessings, while others want to wait to hear from the Episcopal Church's governing body, the General Convention. It meets next in Anaheim in July 2009.

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While the morally bankruptcy Roman Catholic bishops and spineless Knights of Columbus in California have come out in support of Proposition 8 sadly, they haven't shown similar motivation to demand that Cardinal Mahoney and other corrupt bishops and cardinals resign for their misdeeds in the sexual abuse scandal. The hypocrisy of the Roman Catholic Church and its efforts to inject religion into the civil laws continues unabated.

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Meanwhile, two Episcopal bishops have come out and announced their opposition to Proposition 8 which would strip California same-sex couples of the right to marry. No doubt knuckle dragging Neanderthals like Nigeria Archbishop Peter Akinola will have conniption fits. Here are some highlights from the San Jose Mercury News:

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SAN FRANCISCO—The Episcopal bishops of Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area are opposing a November ballot initiative to overturn the California Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage in the state. The Right Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, Episcopal bishop of California, and the Right Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Episcopal bishop of Los Angeles, are scheduled to join other faith leaders and gay couples Wednesday in speaking out against Proposition 8.

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The measure, which would amend the state constitution to limit marriage to unions between a man and woman, is also being opposed by individual churches and clergy through a group called California Faith for Equality. Their work is designed to counter the huge organizational and financial push the amendment is receiving from leaders of the Roman Catholic and Mormon faiths.