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hrmjustin

(71,265 posts) Wed Oct 23, 2013, 08:04 PM Oct 2013

NJ bishops allow clergy to officiate at same-sex marriages

By Mary Frances Schjonberg

[Episcopal News Service] Same-sex couples in the state of New Jersey began getting married shortly after midnight Oct. 21 after the state’s Supreme Court released to postponed enactment of a lower court’s ruling.

Diocese of Newark Bishop Mark Beckwith said on Oct. 18 shortly after the state Supreme Court opened the door to same-sex weddings that he gave thanks for that action. He said he knew that many diocesan priests were preparing to officiate at those weddings.

Beckwith allowed Newark clergy to bless civil unions starting in February 2007 after New Jersey enacted a civil union law. His Oct. 18 statement listed his expectations for clergy who officiate at marriages.

In the Diocese of New Jersey, clergy were being sent a pastoral letter Oct. 21 from Bishop George Councell, who is due to retire Nov. 2, and Bishop-elect William H. Stokes, who will be ordained and consecrated that day, outlining guidelines for clergy who are asked to perform same-sex marriages.

Read more at http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/10/21/newark-new-jersey-bishops-allows-clergy-to-officiate-at-same-sex-marriages/

7 replies

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NJ bishops allow clergy to officiate at same-sex marriages (Original Post) hrmjustin Oct 2013 OP

K&r idwiyo Oct 2013 #1

I figured that would be the Episcopalians wryter2000 Oct 2013 #2

What Diocese are you in? hrmjustin Oct 2013 #3

Diocese of California wryter2000 Oct 2013 #4

It depends on whether the bishop gave permission. hrmjustin Oct 2013 #5

I'm sure he has wryter2000 Oct 2013 #6

That means they have to wait 6 months for counseling with the clergy. My Rector only allows hrmjustin Oct 2013 #7

idwiyo

(5,113 posts)

1. K&r

Reply to hrmjustin (Original post)

Wed Oct 23, 2013, 08:13 PM

Oct 2013

wryter2000

(46,051 posts)

2. I figured that would be the Episcopalians

Reply to hrmjustin (Original post)

Thu Oct 24, 2013, 03:38 PM

Oct 2013

I don't know why we haven't had any same sex marriages at my church yet. We have baptized the babies of our gay and lesbian couples.

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

3. What Diocese are you in?

Reply to wryter2000 (Reply #2)

Thu Oct 24, 2013, 04:36 PM

Oct 2013

wryter2000

(46,051 posts)

4. Diocese of California

Reply to hrmjustin (Reply #3)

Thu Oct 24, 2013, 04:39 PM

Oct 2013

Which pretty much means the SF Bay Area. I attend St. Paul's in Oakland.

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

5. It depends on whether the bishop gave permission.

Reply to wryter2000 (Reply #4)

Thu Oct 24, 2013, 04:42 PM

Oct 2013

wryter2000

(46,051 posts)

6. I'm sure he has

Reply to hrmjustin (Reply #5)

Thu Oct 24, 2013, 05:57 PM

Oct 2013

Actually, our rector made it known that any same sex couple who wants to get married should follow the regular procedure. In fact, we have a pair of women who were married in the church before Prop8. It's just a matter of someone deciding to get married.

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

7. That means they have to wait 6 months for counseling with the clergy. My Rector only allows