A church's struggle over gay marriage

For Christian churches, unity is a deeply held value. But during years of grappling with how to follow Christian teaching while embracing gay church members, a central question has been whether this should be a church-dividing issue.

It has become so within the Anglican church (which includes the Episcopal Church in the US). Anglican leaders elsewhere have threatened to split from the Anglican Communion, the federation of autonomous national churches, unless the US and Canadian churches either repent their actions in ordaining a gay bishop and approving rites for same-sex unions, or are ousted. Some Episcopal dioceses have formed an orthodox network and wait for the church leadership to be disciplined.

Last week, the two North American churches were invited to explain at a global meeting of clergy and lay people held in Britain how their actions could be seen as theologically faithful to Christian teaching.

The Episcopal delegation presented its case for ordaining practicing homosexuals who are committed to fidelity and who meet all other church-leadership expectations. Some church leaders in the developing world remained unconvinced, saying that the actions defied biblical teaching and exposed them to ridicule in their cultures.

The largest US Lutheran denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has taken a unique approach in its bid to sustain unity. After two years of discussion among local congregations and a national task force, a church assembly this August will consider recommendations that would provide wiggle room and more time for study. They would uphold current church teachings while essentially giving pastors some flexibility in performing unions, and create a process that permits some exceptions for ordaining individuals in lifelong relationships.

"I don't know how [the assembly] will go, but people are talking with one another and learning that the other person can be just as faithful, yet disagree," says Bishop Margaret Payne, who heads the New England Synod. "People in the church have strong yet different views on abortion and it has not divided us; I don't believe this has to divide us either."

In the nonhierarchical UCC, people are counting on their historical flexibility to carry them through the weekend debate. "The outcome may not conform with current political sensibilities," says Mr. Downs. "But I think God has called us to a unique ... role within Christendom, and we've lived that calling out with great integrity over the years."

As churches consider their positions on same-sex marriage, some national and state governments have also been weighing in:

• THE NETHERLANDS - Legalized in 2000. Same-sex couples also have the right to adopt children, either within the Netherlands or from abroad.

• BELGIUM - Legalized in 2003. Gay couples cannot adopt children, although that is being discussed by lawmakers.

• SPAIN - Legalized on Thursday. Gay couples have all the rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples, including to adopt children.

• CANADA - The House of Commons passed legislation Tuesday that would legalize gay marriage by July 31 as long as the Senate also passes the bill, which it is expected to do.

• UNITED STATES - Massachusetts is the only US state that allows gay marriage. Vermont and Connecticut have approved same-sex civil unions.

Source: The Associated Press

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