Clergy of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Studio City, will not sign state-issued marriage licenses

 

 

In protest against California's Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution to state "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California," the Vestry of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Studio City, unanimously voted to approve a resolution in support of the rights of all people, straight or gay, to legally marry in the State of California. The clergy of St. Michael's parish will continue to bless heterosexual, gay, and lesbian marriages, but will not sign state-issued marriage licenses until all people have the right to marry in the state of California.

 

This action was influenced strongly by a visit to St. Michael and All Angles this spring from V. Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire. During a discussion at St. Mike's, Bishop Robinson supported churches getting out of the civil marriage business and instead performing blessings for all marriages, same or opposite sex. A similar action was taken by the Vestry of All Saints Church, Pasadena, California.

 

The Reverend Canon Dr. Henry Atkins, Priest-in-Charge at St. Michael's, said:

 

"This community strongly believes that both gay and straight couples should be equally blessed in the sacrament of marriage, and we happily commit ourselves to doing so. But we will not participate in state-sanctioned discrimination." He noted that other countries, such as France, also separate the legal from the religious marriage ceremonies.  

 

"The church is no place for such discrimination," said John Pryor, Junior Warden of St. Michael's. "A welcoming community holds the door open for all people," he stated, "we should not be in the business of shutting that door."

 

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is a welcoming community of

conscience engaged in faith by embracing diversity and encouraging growth

through prayer, scholarship, social action, and artistic endeavor. Located

at 3646 Coldwater Canyon Ave. in Studio City, it is an inclusive community

and welcomes all.

 

The resolution states:

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MARRIAGE RESOLUTION

Adopted by the vestry, July 21, 2009

WHEREAS, on November 4, 2008, a majority of the California electorate voted

to approve Proposition 8, which amended the California Constitution to state

"[o]nly marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in

California;"

 

WHEREAS, on May 26, 2009, the California Supreme Court voted to uphold the

constitutionality of Proposition 8, a decision which not only deprives

same-sex couples of the fundamental right to marry, but, in the words of

dissenting Justice Carlos Moreno, "places at risk the state constitutional

rights of all disfavored minorities";

 

WHEREAS, the institution of civil marriage in the State of California is, as

a result of Proposition 8 and the Court's decision, a

constitutionally-mandated instrument of discrimination, which furthers

injustice and denies same-sex couples the fundamental dignities to which

each human being is entitled;

 

WHEREAS, our active participation in the discriminatory system of civil

marriage is inconsistent with Jesus' call to strive for justice and peace

among all people and respect the dignity of every human being; and

 

WHEREAS, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is called to make the

sacrament of marriage equally available to all couples, regardless of their

sexual orientation;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Rector, Wardens and Vestry do declare

that the sacramental right of marriage is available to all couples, but that

the clergy of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church will not sign

civil marriage certificates for any marriage so long as the right to marry

is denied to same-sex couples.