The six most
senior Episcopal bishops in California have announced their
opposition to Proposition 8, the ballot measure that would
undo marriage equality in the state if passed this
Election Day. The bishops, including Rt.
Rev. J. Jon Bruno, who leads the Los Angeles
archdiocese, issued a joint statement and then held a press
conference on the matter on Wednesday, The Los
Angeles Times reports.
"We believe that
continued access to civil marriage for all, regardless
of sexual orientation, is consistent with the best
principles of our constitutional rights," Bruno said
at the press conference, according to the
Times. He added: "We do not believe that
marriage of heterosexuals is threatened by same-sex marriage."
According to the Times, the bishops --
who include Marc Handley Andrus, Barry L. Beisner,
Mary Gray-Reeves, Jerry A. Lamb, and James R. Mathes
-- concluded the statement by saying that marriage
equality "promotes Jesus' ethic of love, giving, and
hope."
However, not all
the senior bishops agree on how, and even if, they
should officiate at gay weddings. While some believe it's
okay to conduct ceremonies for same-sex
couples just as they would for heterosexual
couples, others are seeking guidance from the church's
governing body, the General Convention, which meets
next summer, the Times reports.
According to the
church's Book of Common Prayer, marriage is defined as
between a man and a woman. (The Advocate)
