S.C. bishop criticizes same-sex blessing

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CHARLESTON, S.C., July 16 (UPI) -- The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina criticized the national church's approval of services blessing same-sex relationships.

The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence said in a letter Sunday to his Lowcountry congregations in coastal South Carolina "the actions taken mark a significant and distressing departure from the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this church has received them," The State newspaper Columbia reported.

The 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, meeting in Indianapolis, endorsed a liturgy that can now be used for blessings of same-sex relationships in the U.S. Episcopal Church.

"It hardly needs to be said, but for the record let me say clearly, I will not authorize the use of such rites in the Diocese of South Carolina," Lawrence wrote in the two-page letter. "Such rites are not only contrary to the canons of this diocese and to the judgment of your bishop, but more importantly I believe they are contrary to the teaching of Holy Scripture; to 2,000 years of Christian practice; as well as to our created nature."

The South Carolina diocese represents 29,000 Episcopalians in coastal South Carolina. Residents of Midlands and Upstate are part of the more moderate Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, with 28,000 members, The State said.

Lawrence also criticized the newly adopted language preventing discrimination against transgendered people and opening the way to possible ordination of those who have undergone a change in their gender.