Episcopal Church OKs Blessing for Same-Sex Unions

THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR
By Kaellen Hessel

INDIANA---The Episcopal Church approved a liturgy for the blessing of same-sex unions on Tuesday, making it the largest church in the United States and the first province in the Anglican Communion to do so. As part of its 77th General Convention, held at the Indiana Convention Center in Downtown Indianapolis, 78 percent of the lay deputies in the House of Deputies and 76 percent of clergy voted to approve the resolution.  The new liturgy can be used beginning Dec. 2, the start of the liturgical church’s calendar. “It provides a rite for provisional use around the church,” the Right Rev. Cate Waynick, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, said. “It’s an option; it’s not a mandate.” Waynick said she would approve its use in her diocese, which consists of the southern two-thirds of Indiana. [link]