Gay marriage issue goes from legal to spiritual

It's dim inside, with light streaming through antique Gothic stained-glass windows.

A picturesque setting, ideal for any parishioners of the Incarnation Episcopal Church in Santa Rosa who want to wed in their place of worship.

But not if they're a same-sex couple.

The local church has gay and lesbian members. Some are in leadership roles. And a few are hoping to marry, now that it's legal to do so in California.

But if the Rev. Matthew Lawrence agrees to officiate the weddings, he must conduct them outside of the church -- literally and figuratively.

"I personally, as a priest, support gay marriage. But I am unable to conduct gay marriages in my church building at present because of my bishop's policy about that," he said.

And it is the policy of the international Anglican Communion, which in recent years has seen Episcopal churches including one in Petaluma split to join an orthodox stream opposed to gay bishops and same-sex marriages.

When the California Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in a controversial 4-3 ruling last month, it reignited such conflict within religious communities.

In the North Coast, religious leaders like Lawrence and Methodist Rev. Kimberly Willis are are trying to balance personal beliefs with contrary church doctrine.

Several others are lining up to bless the unions inside their places of worship.

"I'm really excited, it's been a long fight," said Rabbi George Gittleman of the Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa.

His synagogue is part of a reformist stream of Judaism widely supportive of gay rights. Opposition would be unlikely if he were to hold same-sex weddings in his synagogue, he said.

He's happy to do so for gay Jews, along with seven other local spiritual leaders of varying faiths. But just as their doors are opening up, others are slamming shut.

The opposition is so great within the Christ Church United Methodist, said Willis, that while she would cherish the chance to wed same-sex couples, she just can't. Unless she wants to risk being defrocked.

Willis wore her white collar to the Sonoma County Pride festival last Sunday and watched a symbolic same-sex commitment ceremony with a smile.

About 10 percent of parishioners in her Santa Rosa church are gay, she said, but while "welcoming," the wider congregation does not support the blessing of same-sex unions.

 Gay marriage issue goes from legal to spiritual
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA -