This will hardly be breaking news, as they say, to anyone familiar with the direction of the Episcopal Church, but Episcopal bishops have approved an official prayer service for the blessing of same-sex couples.
The measure passed the church's General Convention 111-41. In a separate vote, the convention approved new anti-discrimination language for transgender clergy candidates and church members. One bishop who spoke against the measure said it will "put us out of the Christian mainstream." How about putting that denomination in direct disobedience to the Word of God? Clearly the Episcopal leadership no longer takes that Word at its word.
In a related story, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), another liberal denomination, has decided to keep marriage between a man and a woman. But as one commentator noted, younger people are for it so it's just a matter of waiting out the aging leadership.
Paul talked about all of this in one of his letters to Timothy. Look it up.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Publication date: July 12, 2012