Bishop Mark Beckwith of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark remains committed to the “blessing of same-sex unions” putting him at odds with others in his church.
The leader of the North Jersey Episcopalians told The Record that
“We in this diocese and I as bishop are continuing to support relationships of fidelity and commitment and give them the full blessing of the church,” Bishop Mark M. Beckwith, of the Diocese of Newark, said Thursday in an interview.
That’s good news. On a local note, the Rev. Francis Hubbard of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church had offered this opinion in a 2007 sermon:
The fact that marriage exists is a good thing; the fact that people want to be profoundly and uniquely committed to each other is a good thing.
And, speaking personally, I have no problem with the recently passed New Jersey law permitting mayors to officiate at same-sex civil unions. I won’t be presiding at any (or at the blessing of a same-sex union), but if same-sex couples want to make such serious commitments, I think mutual, joyous, serious commitment is good. In my opinion if marriage is negatively impacted these days, it’s from people who don’t want to be committed to each other, not from people who do.
He’s right, though I wish he would have taken the logical next step.
Hank Kalet 