Marriage Equality in New York!

New York is not the first state to make marriage equality real, but it is the most powerful and influential state to do so.  The fact that it passed the Republican-controlled State Senate and the Democratic-controlled Assembly is a sign that this decision is now the ascending majority position.

Of course, that does not mean that everyone will like it.  Prejudice dies hard, but the back of this prejudice has been broken.  The condemnation of the Archbishop of New York was no surprise as he and the Archdiocese lobbied against passage and they were defeated.  The negativity of New Jersey’s governor was also expected, but it will become law in New Jersey with or without this governor’s approval sooner or later.  There is a new consciousness growing in the United States and resisting it will be as effective as trying to hold back the ocean’s tide.

It is my hope that the churches of New York will open themselves to clergy from New Jersey and Connecticut, whose gay and lesbian members want to take advantage of that which the state of New Jersey and Connecticut are not as willing to offer its citizens.  It would be a gracious act and judicatory heads who support this action should encourage their clergy to go to willing New York churches to see that the pastoral ministry of the church is offered to our people in the fullest and most complete manner.

I congratulate the Governor and the Legislature of New York on their leadership and on their vision.

John Shelby Spong
8th Bishop of Newark
The Episcopal Church, Retired