Episcopal bishops authorize clergy to perform same-sex marriages

SALT LAKE CITY, July 1 (UPI) -- Just days after the U.S. Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage a constitutional right, bishops in the Episcopal Church have voted to approve such unions performed by its clergy. However, the changes are not being met with unanimous support.

At a convention in Salt Lake City this week, Episcopalian leaders voted to permit religious weddings for gay couples -- although debate on the matter for the church is far from settled.

The resolutions approved at the General Convention mean bishops have authorized their clergy to perform marriages for Episcopalian same-sex couples. The bishops also voted to change the verbiage in the church's rules on marriage to make them gender neutral.

However, Wednesday's changes don't mean all clergy are required to perform same-sex unions. They are still free to refuse such a request without fear of penalty, the Washington Post reported.

Gay members will be allowed to marry beginning Nov. 1 with the full blessing of the Episcopal Church.

Tuesday, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby -- the leader who oversees the Episcopal Church -- expressed concern regarding same-sex unions among Episcopalians. He said the bishops' votes "will cause distress for some and have ramifications for the Anglican Communion as a whole, as well as for its ecumenical and interfaith relationships."

The Archbishop's remarks reflect the fact that same-sex marriage in the Episcopal Church remains a deeply divisive issue among members.

"There is much suffering around the world. But why does that justify preventing people from marrying?" poster Jeremy Bates wrote in response to Welby's comments. "There's no logic in this statement. Or Christian ethics. Just theopolitics."

"Who can be surprised by his ridiculous statement? After all, Britain just got its first female bishop in 2015," Episcopalian Michael Grear remarked. "No wonder so many off our youth don't find the church appealing. They have eyes and minds to think, and they see many of our church leaders sadly lack true charity...for all of God's children."