Five years after same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts, the local Episcopal bishop yesterday gave permission for priests in Eastern Massachusetts to officiate at same-sex weddings.

The decision by Bishop M. Thomas Shaw III was immediately welcomed by advocates of gay rights in the Episcopal Church, who have chafed at local rules that allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, but not sign the documents that would solemnize their marriages.

The decision is likely to exacerbate tensions in the Episcopal Church and the global denomination to which it belongs, the Anglican Communion, which has faced significant division in the wake of the election of an openly gay priest as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

“The time has come,’’ Shaw said in a telephone interview. “It’s time for us to offer to gay and lesbian people the same sacrament of fidelity that we offer to the heterosexual world.’’

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion) • Same-sex blessings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Liturgy, Music, Worship • Parish Ministry • * Theology • Ethics / Moral Theology • Sacramental Theology

1. John Wilkins wrote: Good for the diocese! November 30, 7:56 am | [comment link]

2. GillianC wrote: John, in the long run, it is not “good for the Diocese” - on many different levels - not the least of them being the health of their souls. November 30, 8:23 am | [comment link]

3. Sarah wrote: Heh—they gotta snatch what they can now—the tide is certainly turning in the US. November 30, 9:40 am | [comment link]

4. Br_er Rabbit wrote: “The time has come,’’ the walrus said, “to offer to gay and lesbian people the same sacrament of fidelity that we offer to the other oysters.’’ November 30, 10:58 am | [comment link]

5. dwstroudmd wrote: Shaw went to Lambeth.  Right? See what five cents and agreeing by your presence to abide by the teaching of the Communion will get you, your Grace Rowan? November 30, 2:17 pm | [comment link]

6. Br_er Rabbit wrote: “An Episcopal Role”?  How many weddings are performed by bishops? The last time I knew of an episcopal role in same sex weddings was when the Simple Country Bishop went to London. November 30, 2:30 pm | [comment link]

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