Bishop of Chicago celebrates marriage equality rulings

Posted Jun 26, 2013

[Diocese of Chicago] The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, issued this statement in response to today’s Supreme Court rulings on marriage equality:

“As a Christian, I believe that our society needs all of the sources and signs of grace that we can get. As a citizen of the United States, I believe in equal protection under the law. Today’s Supreme Court rulings bring us closer to both goals and renew the urgency for Illinois to enact civil marriage equality.

“In the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, we offer all faithful couples equality, dignity, support and love, and I am proud that our federal government will now follow suit. Extending those benefits of civil marriage to same-sex couples in Illinois would make it easier for them to order their lives together, to care for one another and to raise children in a stable home. We would all benefit from these stronger, happier households and families.

“These Supreme Court rulings concern civil marriage, not the Christian sacrament. But I inviteChristians who may struggle with the decision to consider that the union of two people in heart, body and mind is capable of signifying the never failing love of God in Christ for the church and the world. These faithful unions, no matter the sex of the partners, can be sources and signs of grace, both for the couple and for the wider community. When we see and celebrate those signs, we testify to the love and mercy of God that overcomes all our divisions and differences.”


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