MINNEAPOLIS -- The Episcopal Church officially recognized the blessing of same-sex unions, but stopped short of establishing a liturgy for those ceremonies, The Washington Post reported.
The move capped a tumultuous national convention during which the denomination confirmed the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. Robinson is the first openly homosexual cleric elected to a high post in the church.
Bishop John B. Chane of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington said the decision to recognize same-sex unions "legitimizes what has been going on for quite some time." He predicted it would not result in a sharp rise in same-sex ceremonies at Episcopal churches.
"There won't be a revolving door," he said.
Congregations and priests who do not wish to perform such ceremonies are not obligated to do so. He said many priests have wanted to bless same-sex couples but have waited for some approval from the larger church.
"We now have that sign," he said.
After threats of a split over Robinson's confirmation July 5, the church's House of Bishops decided that putting same-sex blessings into an official prayer book would be too divisive, the newspaper reported.
The bishops voted overwhelmingly for an eight-paragraph resolution that says, in part: "We recognize that local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating same-sex unions."
The 835-member House of Deputies, the other chamber in the church's bicameral legislature, approved the compromise July 7.
