Episcopal congress turns to 'marriage'

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Episcopalians seemed set to reject a formal church "marriage" rite for homosexuals yesterday, settling for a compromise resolution that recognizes but does not authorize church ceremonies for same-sex unions.

The resolution, approved in a voice vote by Episcopal bishops on Wednesday, was being deliberated yesterday evening by deputies at the Episcopal General Convention in Minneapolis. The substitute resolution would allow Episcopalians to "explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions."

"Basically, it says anything goes," said Bruce Mason, spokesman for the American Anglican Council, "so dioceses can do anything they want."

After the bishops' vote, homosexual advocates said the resolution for the first time gives them tacit permission for the rituals. However, retired Episcopal Bishop of Utah Otis Charles, who announced his homosexuality after he left the episcopate, said it was not enough.

"You cannot understand the experience that it is for every gay and lesbian member of the Episcopal Church when this house debates whether or not our relationships can be honored and celebrated," he said. "We must be mindful of the pain that is in the hearts of all the people in your conversations, known or unknown, who are gay and lesbian ... who would like to have the same dignity that each one of you has in your relationships."

Some dioceses, notably Delaware and Kansas, already have authorized their bishops to allow such ceremonies and many others are said to allow priests to perform them in small, private ceremonies.

Thus, U.S. Episcopalians may become involved in the same controversy that has troubled the bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster in British Columbia. Ever since Bishop Michael Ingham authorized a same-sex "marriage" in late May, 16 archbishops from the Anglican Communion, the worldwide parent body of the Episcopal Church, have broken off relations with the diocese. Several Vancouver-area parishes have separated themselves from the bishop.

Exactly how this will play out in church situations is unclear, judging from a press conference Wednesday in Minneapolis. There, Wendy Griffith, a reporter with the Christian Broadcasting Network, asked presiding Episcopal Bishop Frank Griswold about Bishop-elect V. Gene Robinson, who was confirmed Tuesday as the first openly homosexual Episcopal bishop. He is divorced and lives with his male partner.

If, the reporter asked, a divorced male bishop could live with a man to whom he was not married, what about a divorced heterosexual male bishop living with a female lover?

"Or," she added, "is being outside marriage only OK if you are gay?"

"The Episcopal Church honors holy matrimony," Bishop Griswold said, "and certainly if a male were elected bishop and was living with a woman without benefit of clergy, that would be a significant problem."

"So there's a double standard, then?" Miss Griffith asked, at which point church spokesman Jim Solheim abruptly ended the press conference.

American acceptance of same-sex unions has fallen since the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26 overturned a Texas law prohibiting homosexual sodomy.

In May, a Gallup poll showed the public split 49 percent for and 49 percent against giving homosexual couples the legal rights of marriage. In July, another Gallup poll showed support had fallen to 40 percent while opposition rose to 57 percent.