{"id":12881,"date":"2013-01-09T09:42:47","date_gmt":"2013-01-09T14:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/yimcatholic\/?p=12881"},"modified":"2017-01-24T17:52:43","modified_gmt":"2017-01-24T22:52:43","slug":"the-national-cathedral-to-perform-same-sex-ceremonies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/yimcatholic\/2013\/01\/the-national-cathedral-to-perform-same-sex-ceremonies.html","title":{"rendered":"The National Cathedral to Perform Same-Sex Wedding Ceremonies UPDATED"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

From the Associated Press,<\/p>\n

WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 The Washington National Cathedral, where the nation gathers to mourn tragedies and celebrate new presidents, will soon begin performing same-sex marriages.<\/p>\n

Cathedral officials tell The Associated Press the church will be among the first Episcopal congregations to implement a new rite of marriage for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members. The church will announce its new policy Wednesday.<\/p>\n

As the nation\u2019s most prominent church, the decision carries huge symbolism. The 106-year-old cathedral has long been a spiritual center for the nation, hosting presidential inaugural services and funerals for Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. It draws hundreds of thousands of visitors.<\/p>\n

In light of the legality of same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia and now Maryland, the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, decided in December to allow an expansion of the Christian marriage sacrament. The diocese covers the district and four counties in Maryland. The change is allowed under a \u201clocal option\u201d granted by the church\u2019s General Convention, church leaders said. Each priest in the diocese can then decide whether to perform same-sex unions.<\/p>\n

The Very Rev. Gary Hall, the cathedral\u2019s dean, said performing same-sex marriages is an opportunity to break down barriers and build a more inclusive community \u201cthat reflects the diversity of God\u2019s world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI read the Bible as seriously as fundamentalists do,\u201d Hall told the AP. \u201cAnd my reading of the Bible leads me to want to do this because I think it\u2019s being faithful to the kind of community that Jesus would have us be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Celebrating same-sex weddings is important beyond the Episcopal Church, Hall said. Church debate is largely settled on the matter, allowing for local decisions, he said. The move is also a chance to influence the nation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a kind of tall-steeple, public church in the nation\u2019s capital, by saying we\u2019re going to bless same-sex marriages, conduct same-sex marriages, we are really trying to take the next step for marriage equality in the nation and in the culture,\u201d Hall said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read the rest.<\/a><\/p>\n

Pastor Hall isn\u2019t interested in the Catholic Church\u2019s teaching on marriage, but if you are, you can find it here:<\/p>\n

Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions<\/em><\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

UPDATES:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Does Calling for Illinois Governor Pat Quinn\u2019s Excommunication Make Sense?
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Governments Have Always Discriminated in their Marriage Laws<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Get Religion\u2019s<\/em> Terry Mattingly<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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