Michigan’s Episcopal bishops are unanimous in applauding yesterday’s federal ruling overturning their state’s gay marriage ban. Their statement:
As Christians and leaders in the Episcopal Church, we applaud Judge Friedman’s decision to overturn Michigan’s ban on equal marriage as a step on the right side of history.
As the case of DeBoer v. Snyder continues to work its way through our judicial system, it is our hope that future judges will continue to find that the denial of marriage to same-sex couples is a denial of human dignity and a denial of rights under the law. We look forward in hopeful anticipation to the day when we can recognize all faithful and covenantal relationships between any two people regardless of sex, both within the Church and within our society.
Signed,
The Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr.
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
The Rt. Rev. Whayne M. Houglund, Jr.
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
The Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan
The Rt. Rev. Rayford Ray
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan
Read earlier comments from Bishops Gibbs and Ousley.
UPDATE: Appellate Court issues stay on same-sex marriages in Michigan until Wednesday. Read more.