December 15, 2009
By Mary Frances Schjonberg

WASHINGTON, DC – Episcopal Diocese of Washington Bishop John Chane celebrated the Washington D.C. City Council's passage of a same-gender marriage bill Dec. 15.

Like some other Episcopal Church bishops, Chane permits the clergy in his diocese to bless same-sex relationships. He had previously said that the diocese had begun studying the church's canons to determine whether diocesan priests will be allowed to solemnize same-gender marriages and sign marriage licenses if same-gender marriage became legal in the district. In the Dec. 15 statement, Chane said an announcement would be forthcoming.

He said in the statement that was e-mailed to ENS and posted at http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/politics/dc_council_approves_marriage_e_1.html, that he "support[s] and celebrate[s]" the council's decision "because it ends discrimination against gay and lesbian couples."

"For too long, these couples have been denied rights that heterosexual couples take for granted, such as spousal health and pension benefits, and the right to make crucial medical decisions on behalf of an incapacitated partner," Chane said in the statement. "They have also been denied the recognition that their relationships are every bit as important, and every bit as life-giving, as those of their straight friends. While no law, in and of itself, can change social attitudes, this one sends a powerful signal that the District of Columbia stands against prejudice and on the side of equality."

Chane also noted that the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009" passed by the council would not require clergy to perform same-gender marriages. "We are bound only to recognize the civil rights of every human being, regardless of sexual orientation," he said.

The Washington Post reported that the bill, which passed its second required vote in the council by an 11 to 2 margin, goes to Democratic Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, who is expected to sign it before Christmas. Fenty's signature starts a 30-day legislative review process, the Post said, during which the Democratic-controlled U.S. House and Senate and President Barack Obama would all have to sign off on a disapproval resolution. If that resolution is not forthcoming, the bill will become law in spring 2010 and the district will join Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont in issuing marriage licenses to same-gender couples. They will be able to wed in New Hampshire starting in January.

A vote on same-gender marriage in New Jersey could come in early January as advocates there try to convince that state's legislature to approve a bill before Democratic Governor Jon Corzine leaves office Jan. 19. Incoming Republican Governor-elect Chris Christie has vowed to veto the bill.

The Episcopal Church's General Convention last July passed Resolution C056, saying that bishops, "particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this church." The resolution also called for the collection and development of theological and liturgical resources for blessing same-gender unions for view by the next General Convention in 2012.

In one of the latest announcements rooted in that "generous pastoral response" Diocese of Massachusetts Bishop M. Thomas Shaw SSEJ said Nov. 29 that clergy there could begin solemnizing same-gender marriages in that diocese that day (Advent I).

Episcopal News Service
The Rev. Mary Frances Schjonberg is national correspondent for the Episcopal News Service.