Episcopal Bishops In NJ Support Marriage Equality
The Episcopal Church in America continues to demonstrate its support for civil rights and human dignity.
Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey [Bishop] George Councell, Episcopal Diocese of Newark Bishop Mark Beckwith and other Episcopalians joined more than 1,000 others in Trenton Dec. 7 to urge the New Jersey state Senate to pass a marriage equality bill.
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Councell, whom the committee called to testify together with Beckwith, told the senators that the gay and lesbian couples "are treasures of our church, whose support, loyalty and dedication bless and enrich our congregations and the communities that they serve." He said that his support of the bill stemmed from the teaching of the Baptismal Covenant to "strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being" and "the values of the Episcopal Church — as expressed through the actions of our General Convention over the past 30 years.""I am compelled to support equal protection under the law for all, and especially for those whose rights and dignity are threatened or limited," he added.
Beckwith told the committee that "I pray that the marriage bill passes — so that all couples who have engaged in a lifelong union can have their unions recognized."
"Homosexuality is not an issue of lifestyle; it is a matter of identity," he said. "We don't choose our identity; we are challenged to claim our identity as God's gift to us. The church that I have chosen to serve is about the mission of helping all of God's children claim and celebrate their identity as imago dei — as created in the image of God."
[excerpted from: Mary Frances Schjonberg, "NEW JERSEY, NEWARK: Bishops call for passage of state 'marriage-equality' bill", Episcopal Life Online, December 08, 2009]