New York Bishop Orders Gay Clergy to Marry

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.christianpost.com/news/new-york-bishop-orders-gay-clergy-to-marry-52529/

In the wake of gay marriage soon becoming a legal institution in the state of New York, the Episcopal Bishop of Long Island, has ordered that homosexual priests wed their partners.

Long Island Episcopal Bishop Lawrence Provenzano has put his foot down against gay clergy who residing in homosexual relationships, and has given a nine month deadline for them to either get married or stop living together, according to the News Observer.

“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.

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,” he said.

[Ian David]

1. Wait... what?

Is there a similar decree for heterosexual priests cohabiting with opposite-sex partners?

Actually, yes. It appears there is.

Okay, then.

Fair enough.

[xmas74]

2. It says it right in the article.

Fair is fair.

[Ian David]

4. Yep. No more of this, "Why buy the bull when you can have the milk for free" crap. n/t

[xmas74]

5. Fair is fair.

In this line of work that they willfully entered they are expected to set a good example. In this case it's the sacrament of marriage.

Think about this: there will be an entire generation of children raised in the church who will see an example of a loving couple that just might be gay. The spouse is usually just as involved in the church as the pastor/reverend/whathaveyou. Children who might not be exposed otherwise will see that it's nothing exotic, unusual, or "different"-it just is. They'll grow up seeing only positive about gay/lesbian marriage. And spouses in that position are also usually quite active in the community. They volunteer in small town communities on various committees, they work with other spouses from other local churches and congregations on projects, etc. Once again, it's exposure that others might not get elsewhere. It's a win-win all round.

Of course, if they are not ready for that level of commitment they shouldn't marry but that is to be said for any couple.

[xmas74]

3. I think it's great.

The bishop, from what I've read, is showing that gays/lesbians are expected to follow the same rules as heteros in the church and that their relationships will be upheld as equal.

[dbackjon]

6. Good for him - we want equality, not special treatment

He requires straight priests to be married to live together, so gay priests should be required to do the same.

[xmas74]

8. Exactly!

And think of the message a gay priest with a spouse will give. They'll realize that their job would be the same as any other spouse and eventually it'll no longer be a novelty-just normal. And with all the volunteer work the spouse is expected to take on might be what it takes to have some reevaluate how they feel about the subject.

There will be an entire generation seeing a normal, happy, married couple in front of them, leading the congregation. The fact that the couple is gay will be secondary.

[damntexdem]

7. No shackin' up on his watch.

Either get married -- or it's back to one-night-stands. ;-)

(Yes, hyperbolic.)