No ifs, ands, or buts about it! Now that gay marriage will be legal in the state of New York as of July 24th, Long Island Episcopal Bishop Lawrence Provenzano has mandated that all same-sex clergy members who are living together must do right by their church and chosen profession. So hurry up and get married already! “I need to be mindful that the church has always asked people to live in committed monogamous, faithful relationships. I won’t allow heterosexual clergy to live in a rectory or church housing without the benefit of marriage. When one puts it in that context, then you see how it all begins to make sense,” said Provenzano.
He ain’t foolin’ either: Provenzano has put a nine-month deadline for them to either get hitched or stop living together. So now the church is now forcing homosexuals to wed? Oh, the irony.
Reverend Christopher Hofer, pastor of the Episcopal Church of St. Jude agrees with Provenzano, “I think his statement was not only fair, but beyond generous. It gives people time, acknowledging that there’s a financial component involved and recognizing that some may not choose to live together. Now that the state is recognizing civil marriage, we as priests—perhaps deacons too—who are in committed relationships have a choice: we either live what we preach to become civilly married or we live apart.”
There’s nothing more romantic than a shotgun wedding. Swoon.
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Ronny {the Catholic}
Sometimes conservative theology does end up supporting equality.
skrillex
Episcopalians have supported LGBT rights for a long time, so it’s not surprising. It’s nice to see a church actually worry about appearing *less* hypocritical for once.
Hyhybt
This would make perfect sense, setting the same standard for straight and gay couples not that the law allows it, except for one thing: this same diocese will not host or perform gay weddings. (Some others will, calling it “generous pastoral response” or some similar name, while the national organization works out exactly what to do and how.)
So: priests, you must marry, but you must do it either as a civil service or else at some other church than your own. Weird.
Huh?
Why is a blog post about an Episcopalian bishop illustrated with a picture of what appears to be Pope Benedict, the head of the Roman Catholic Church? Do all religious people look the same to queerty?
Scott
I thought the phrase “the church” only referred to the catholic church?
Riker
@Scott: In general, “The Church” does indeed refer to the Roman Catholic Church, or before the Reformation to the Christian Church, which became Catholicism. However, since the subject of the article is clearly Episcopalian, then it is correct to refer to that church as “the church”.
Hyhybt
@Scott: It *can*; professional Catholics are particularly fond of talking as if their church were the only one. But it’s a contextual thing, and *can* refer to either all of Christianity as a whole, or to an entire denomination, or to an individual congregation or building. (For example, I can say “The church on Elm St. was built around 1890” without, hopefully, causing any confusion between the Roman Catholic organization headquartered in Vatican City or a brick building in which the local Baptist congregation meets.)
JAW
@Riker:
Actually Riker, You are half right… The term “The Church” would represent what ever specific denomination the article is about. This article is about the Episcopal Church… so once that is established, just using “the Church” would be proper
Yes there are close to 70,000,000 Catholics in the USA, so there are a lot of articles written about “Their Church”… eap. on sites like Queerty
And I agree… what the hell is a pic of the pope doing headling this article???
Henry
@JAW: The pope picture is a joke obv.
xander
So, the Episcopalians will require their coupled NY clergy members to marry, yet not all of their churches allow such weddings? They may find their own clergy having to getting married at, say, a Unitarian church rather than in their own parishes or… just going to city Hall which bypasses the religious rite altogether!
Call that both ironic and sad.
frank
yo idiots why do you have a picture of that hate monger the pope who is not in any way head of the episocpal church. the romans are evil vindictive pack of nazi bastards.
Christine
@Hyhybt:
I was pretty sure The Episcopal Diocese of Long Island performed same-sex marriages; it’s the Diocese of New York which STILL only allows clergy to “bless” couples after a civil union or marriage is performed outside of the church (not blessing the union, blessing the people). Please correct me if I’m wrong.
A lot of Episcopalians, myself included, are pretty disappointed in Bishop Sisk’s insistence on sticking to his “no gay marriage in my diocese” hard-line in light of the NY marriage equality law. I for one am interested to see what happens at the General Convention this year.
the crustybastard
@Hyhybt:
Good catch. Thanks for the info.
Jim
Why is the Pope in this picture? Ignorance.
Steve
I’m not complaining. Religious people who actually live what they preach instead of preach what they’ve read? Amazing.
MikeE
@Scott: “I thought the phrase “the church” only referred to the catholic church?”
little known fact: all Christian churches are “catholic”. What you mean is the “ROMAN Catholic church”. (yes, the capital letter makes a difference)
gregger
@Scott: Currently, only in the minds of Roman Catholics. Prior to the Protestant reformation, only in the minds of Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and Coptic Christians.
Catholic means, literally, universal-all embracing. Roman Catholic refers to the Church based in Rome with the infallible elected leader called “the Pope.” A “Catholic” refers to a member of the Roman Catholic Church or RCC.
gregger
@skrillex: The LGBT stance varies from diocese to diocese. New York Diocese is not in favor of Marriage Equality due to the bigot, err bishop. Some the dioceses are totally nasty like those that claim allegiance to the Nigerian “bishops” and those are spreading across the nation.
Mike in Asheville
@Huh?: @Henry: @JAW: @frank: All you boys need do is CLICK on the “Image VIA” link to the story of the ironic painting by Irish artist of the pope (I prefer the “Poop”) marrying to men. The link expresses the hypocrisy and sure got all of you your attention.
Little Kiwi
this piece gave me the giggles.
Little Kiwi
rejoice! someone taught the right-wing troll how to copy-and-paste.
next step: attempting independent thought!
unlikely, though…..
Michael
@johnsommatemboa:
LMFAO wtf does this have to do with the subject posted? Spam spam spam .How ridiculous also if someone wants to get married you can not FORCE them to do so.That is THEIR decision it is between 2 consenting adults.Any same sex clergy get out while you still can for real.
johnsommatemboa
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