Albany's Episcopal Bishop Bans Same-Sex Marriages in the Diocese's Churches Essay

The Catholic Church has had discourses regarding enacting legislations of marriage pertaining union involving the same sex. The United States as from the year 2015, has ruled same sex civil marriage legal in 50 states through the Supreme Court. This has however not been received well by most populations. Years later, Eight Episcopalian bishops gathered in various states for the 79th General Convention to block same sex couples from marrying in their churches. This brought with it controversy in many Catholic churches.

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The Church's rapid progress in embracing marriage equality in past years has been guaranteed when love took over the Diocese of Albany. The march towards equality continues with resolutions seeking the welcoming of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender in the church and society as well. This further saw Episcopalians approving development of liturgies for blessing same sex unions (Pearson, 2014 pp 103).

According to the World Religion News article, Bishop William Love of Albany, New York's Episcopal Church has issued a stern warning prohibiting gay marriages in his diocese (Glover, 2018). The Albany congregation has far been known for supporting LGBTO community that has advocated for use of gay marriage rites. He claims that those who have agreed to this way of life have become victims of the devil's deception.

Love called 'homosexuality' is sinful and forbidden. In a letter, the Bishop of Albany beseeches brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus to follow the Holy Scriptures as instructed by God Himself. Love, marriage and sex concepts are all addressed in his letter. He states that the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church attempts to order him as a Bishop in God's sanctified church to compromise his faith, by denouncing his vows and accommodate the Episcopal Church's 'new' understanding of Christian marriage. That Christian marriage is no longer a solemn covenant between a man and a woman in God's presence. This means that a Bishop is now entitled to allow and participate in joining of same sex couples. According to the authority of the Holy Scriptures, when asked about divorce and marriage Jesus Christ answered, 'From beginning of creation, God made male and female. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.' (Mark 10:6-9).

Those with same sex attractions ought to know that God regards them as sinful and forbidden. In Leviticus, 'The Lord said to Moses and the Israelites, Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.' (Leviticus18:1, 22). Love in the Holy Scriptures is genuine, sincere and does not pursue its own pleasures. Questioning of Gayism and lesbianism is an act the Bishop of Albany believes is right being that believers have been deceived to believe a lie. In the book of Ephesians, Paul states, 'stand against the schemes of the devil. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, principalities, darkness and against spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.' (Ephesians 6:11-13).

Conclusion

The diocese now faces 'a thousand scenarios' of what will happen now that its Bishop has openly defied the General Convention mandate. His directive could initiate conflicting reactions among church members with conservative views concerning marriage. Progressive members of Episcopal Church are so far displeased by Bishop Love's directives and statements. Bishop Michael Curry and Reverend Jennifer Adams are among the few who detest Bishop Love's movement. They state their full commitment to the inclusion of the Convention's directive of same sex marriages in their churches.

Works Cited

Glover, N. "Albany's Episcopal Bishop Band same sex marriages in the Diocese's churches" World Religion News (2018). Retrieved from https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/albanys-episcopal-bishop-bans-sex-marriages-dioc

Pearson, Joseph Adam. "Christianity and Homosexuality Reconciled: New Thinking for a New Millennium." (2014).

Version, King James. The holy bible. World Publishing Company, 1989.