{"id":411,"date":"2023-08-03T05:28:21","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T05:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/03\/candidates-for-ny-episcopal-bishop-vow-to-support-gay-unions-if-elected\/"},"modified":"2023-08-03T05:28:21","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T05:28:21","slug":"candidates-for-ny-episcopal-bishop-vow-to-support-gay-unions-if-elected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/03\/candidates-for-ny-episcopal-bishop-vow-to-support-gay-unions-if-elected\/","title":{"rendered":"Candidates for NY Episcopal bishop vow to support gay unions if elected"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A Holy Bible lays on rainbow flags. <\/span> | Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The four candidates for bishop of an Episcopal Church diocese that recently garnered headlines for refusing to bless same-sex marriages have indicated that they will allow the practice.<\/p>\n

The Episcopal Diocese of Albany has been without a bishop since the resignation in 2021 of William Love, who had issued an open letter in 2020 refusing to enforce a denominational rule requiring all dioceses to allow for the blessing of gay marriages.<\/p>\n

According to a report from Episcopal News Service<\/a>, the four candidates looking to replace Love in a Sept. 9 election have all indicated that they will follow the denomination rule on allowing same-sex marriages.<\/p>\n

The candidates are the Rev. Neal Longe and the Rev. Scott Garno, both of whom are of the Diocese of Albany, the Rev. Jeremiah Williamson of the Diocese of Colorado and the Rev. Geoffrey Ward of the Diocese of Milwaukee.<\/p>\n

In his official essay, Longe stated that he would \u201cauthorize the use of the new liturgical rites\u201d for same-sex couples, saying it would come \u201cwithout need for waiver, special permission or the need for outside supplemental episcopal oversight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garno wrote<\/a> that while he believes \u201cGod intends marriage to be the life-long covenantal relationship between one man and one woman,\u201d he would still adhere to The Episcopal Church\u2019s requirement for the diocese to permit same-sex marriage rites.<\/p>\n

Garno encouraged civility and dialogue within the diocese, writing that it will be \u201conly through listening to each other, trusting each other, loving each other as siblings in Christ, and, first and foremost, through the power of the Holy Spirit that we will find a lasting peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williamson reported having blessed two same-sex unions personally, and thus supported the requirement, adding that he wants the diocese to \u201ccreate more room, make more space for a diversity of opinions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ward wrote<\/a> that he believes the issue of gay marriage is \u201ctruly complicated\u201d and that he respects all sides on the issue, adding that if elected bishop, \u201chonoring theological diversity would be a priority.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeking resolution and a mutual path forward would involve a basic commitment to respecting the dignity of every person, affording generous pastoral attention to every voice, and seeking Holy common ground on canonically sound footing,\u201d Ward continued.<\/p>\n

In July 2018, the Episcopal Church General Convention passed Resolution B012, which required all dioceses to bless same-sex unions, removing earlier provisions that allowed several dioceses to prohibit such measures, due to them being in conflict with the biblical standard of marriage.<\/p>\n

While B012 allowed clergy to refuse to perform gay weddings, it required bishops who oppose them to let another bishop provide pastoral support for the same-sex couple and to provide a priest to perform the ceremony.<\/p>\n

In November 2018, Albany Bishop Love released an open letter<\/a> stating that he refused to enforce the resolution in his diocese. He wrote that \u201crelations between two men or two women was never part of God’s plan and is a distortion of His design in creation and as such is to be avoided.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo engage in sexual intimacy outside of marriage between a man and women, is against God’s will and therefore sinful and needs to be repented of, NOT encouraged or told it is ok,\u201d Love added.<\/p>\n

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry officially restricted Love\u2019s ministry in January 2019 and, in October 2020, a disciplinary panel concluded that Love had violated canon law by opposing the resolution.<\/p>\n

In March 2021, Love announced<\/a> that he was leaving The Episcopal Church and joining the theologically conservative breakaway denomination the Anglican Church in North America.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter <\/a> or Facebook<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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