S.F. Bay Area
Episcopalians Affirm Pro-Gay Positions

Representatives of Episcopal churches in the San Francisco Bay area on Saturday approved three types of prayers that ministers can use to bless same-sex marriages, showing clear disapproval of their church's pledge not to offer special rites for such unions, according to the Associated Press.

At the Diocese of California's annual convention, about 500 church delegates also approved a resolution that questioned U.S. bishops' decision to refrain from ordaining gay bishops to avoid upsetting foreign church leaders.

Before delegates voted, diocesan bishop Marc Andrus spoke in support of the special blessings. Offering the blessings locally, he said, does not contradict the U.S. bishops' agreement not to offer the rites as a group.

"I think the resolution properly augments my pastoral goal of caring alike for all of the people of the diocese, not reinforcing damaging distinctions," Andrus told the AP.

The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the worldwide Anglican Church.

Two Canadian dioceses have shown support for creating services for same-sex marriages. Representing 82 churches, the Bay Area diocese is believed to be the first American diocese to make the blessings available to church members, spokesman Sean McConnell told the AP. (The Advocate)