Episcopal bishop goes against church leaders and bans same-sex marriages

ALBANY, NY – An episcopal bishop from upstate New York State said that the church had been "hijacked by the" program for gay rights "" in a directive banning interpersonal marriages same sex in his diocese.

The pastoral directive of Reverend William Love, based in Albany, NY, highlights persistent opposition three weeks before the coming into force of a resolution setting the rules applicable to same-sex marriages in the country's episcopal churches. Love's letter sent on Saturday indicates that the policy that comes into effect on December 2 "completely disrupts 2000 years of church teaching" on marriage.

"The Episcopal Church and Western society have been hijacked by the" Program for Gay Rights ", which is very well organized, very strategic, very well funded and very powerful," Love writes in an eight-page letter. .

He added, "Satan knows hours of glory with the division in the church on these issues."

In July, church leaders overwhelmingly passed the gay marriage resolution, which gives bishops with theological objections to same-sex marriages the opportunity to entrust their services to other clergy. . Eight dioceses had previously refused to comply with a previous resolution of 2015 allowing same-sex marriage in the church.

Love is the only American bishop who refuses to comply with the new resolution, according to Rev. Susan Russell, an activist for an inclusive church based in the diocese of Los Angeles.

The Bishop Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, said Monday in a statement that he was "evaluating the implications" of Love's letter and that he will soon decide on "measures appropriate ".

"We are committed to the principle of equal and full access to the sacraments, as well as their inclusion in the sacraments, for all baptized children of God, including our LGBTQ brothers and sisters," he said. .

Curry said those who have vowed to obey church doctrine must act in ways that respect church decisions.

The Times Union announced that parishioners had gathered Sunday in front of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Albany to ceremoniously burn Love's letter announcing the directive.

Other members said that the directive did not correspond to the teachings of the church.

"Are you coming to a church looking for comfort and love and are you told that you are acting in concert with Satan?" said Nadya Lawson, a resident of Albany who said that she felt welcome to St. Andrew's as a lesbian. "Anyone who does not fit his vision of how things should be is dangerous because of his letter and his actions."