From the Living Church-The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa, will not permit clergy to sign marriage licenses for same-sex couples despite a recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling that found unconstitutional a state law limiting marriage to a man and a woman.
“As an Episcopal bishop I honor the fact that the title of the ruling names an Episcopal couple. I know many Episcopal clergy and baptized who have worked and prayed to see this day. I also know that I am the bishop of the whole diocese in a global Communion as well as a Catholic Church, and we are not of one mind on this issue,” Bishop Scarfe wrote in a Good Friday pastoral letter. “It ought to be no surprise that I desire the Church to find the will and way to move forward beyond our focus on this disagreement to the more fundamental mission of God which we share.”
In a unanimous decision April 3, the seven justices determined that a state statute limiting civil marriage to a man and a woman violated the equal protection clause of the state constitution. The decision requires state agencies to begin issuing same-sex civil marriage licenses on April 24.
Bishop Scarfe said the current policy under which “prayers and the seeking of blessing with the receiving and witnessing of the couple in the company of the people of God are a pastoral decision at the parochial level” would remain in place, however.
“What is now clear is that the Church is discussing the nature of the sacrament, not civil rights,” he said. “The Court has provided us with a definitive debate. While that debate continues, some will enjoy a new freedom for which I am grateful and rejoice.”
http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/4/14/diocese-of-iowa-to-maintain-current-policy-on-same-sex-blessings
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