wfn.org | Bishop Morrison among supporters of Vermont same-sex union law

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Jan. 24, 2000 News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-21-28-71B{028}

By United Methodist News Service

United Methodist Bishop Susan Morrison is among the 17 religious leaders
encouraging the Vermont legislature to pass a bill that legalizes same-sex
marriage.

On Dec. 20, the Vermont Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the state must
guarantee the same protections and benefits to gay and lesbian couples as it
does to heterosexual couples, but it left to the legislature the decision of
whether to legalize same-sex marriages or pass a domestic partnership law.
Since any decision will affect only civil marriage law, no church would be
required to perform same-sex union ceremonies.

The statement from the interfaith group supporting the marriage option will
be read at a Jan. 25 statehouse public hearing. 

"We agree that when two women or two men make a loving commitment to one
another and wish to assume the responsibilities of marriage, they exemplify
a moral good which cannot be represented by so-called registered
partnership," the leaders said in their statement.

Besides Morrison, other United Methodist signers are the Rev. V. Mitchell
Hay, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Montpelier, the Rev.
Barbara Lemmel, also of Montpelier, and the Rev. Richard Hibbert of
Williston Federated Church. 

Other supporters include Bishop Mary Adelia McLeod, Episcopal Diocese of
Vermont, and pastors from the Universalist, Episcopal, and United Church of
Christ denominations, along with a Jewish rabbi.

In a message released Jan. 21 to churches of the United Methodist Troy
Conference, which covers Vermont and northeastern New York, Morrison
explained that the interfaith statement "is consistent with my position
throughout my ministry as being one of mercy and justice for all of God's
children."

She noted that the Troy conference in the past had sent a resolution to
General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body, to change the
church's stand on union service. Currently, the United Methodist Church
prohibits its pastors from performing same-sex union ceremonies.

"I signed this statement not as an 'in your face' argument toward those who
disagree with my position, but as a supportive pastoral affirmation for
those who feel marginalized," said Morrison, who is based in Albany, N.Y. 

"Let us approach one another, remembering that we are one in Christ's
redeeming love; that God's table is open to all, even in our disagreements;
and that in all things, nothing separates us from the love of God in Christ
Jesus," she concluded in her statement to the churches.

# # #

Following is the interfaith group's statement:

January 18, 2000

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it...
(Song of Songs 8:7)

As religious leaders from a wide range of faith traditions, we believe that
marriage can only be strengthened by extending our understanding of marriage
to include the faithful committed relationships of same gender couples.
Since marriage involves taking on responsibilities as well as receiving
privileges, we support same gender couples who choose to enter into such a
commitment.

We believe that human beings are called to live in right relationship with
each other and with God. Therefore, legalizing marriage for same gender
couples will build community, support the well-being of children and
families and promote the common good.

We agree that when two women or two men make a loving commitment to one
another and wish to assume the responsibilities of marriage, they exemplify
a moral good which cannot be represented by so-called registered
partnership. We support the Vermont legislature's passage of a bill that
legalizes same gender marriage.

# # #

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United Methodist News Service
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