U.S. Episcopal Church Makes History, and Approves Blessing of Gay Unions

RUETERS
By Susan Guyett

INDIANA---The U.S. Episcopal Church on Tuesday approved a liturgy for clergy to use in blessing same-sex unions, including gay marriages in states where they are legal, becoming the largest U.S. religious denomination to approve such a ritual. The resolution does not mention the word "marriage" and it does not alter the church's standard liturgy for a marriage between a man and a woman, but offers an alternative liturgy for blessing same-sex couples. The Episcopal Church is the largest religious denomination to approve such blessings. The United Church of Christ, the 24th-ranked denomination in the United States with about a million members, voted in 2005 to recognize same-sex unions. Two other major Protestant denominations, United Methodists and Presbyterians, rejected gay rights resolutions at their conferences earlier this year. Six states - Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York - and the District of Columbia already allow same-sex marriages. [link]