Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Bishop of Los Angeles responds to today's CA Supreme Court Decision

The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop Diocesan
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles


Statement, May 26, 2009
I feel blessed that the California Supreme Court has upheld the marriages of gay and lesbian couples that occurred in our state last year. Although short-lived, it is marriage equality for some of the gay community in California, and I will work to have these rights returned for all gay and lesbian people.

Sadly enough, a small majority - 52 percent of voters - was able to alter the constitution of the great state of California.

It is saddening for me that we will have to mount another battle to join states in New England and the state of Iowa to open doors of equality to gay and lesbian people again in California.

The initiative process wrests away from the legislature and the courts the ability to legislate and affirm justice.

As human beings, all are to be given equality under the law. This referendum has proven that there is a flaw in the law that allows us to inhibit the rights of gay people under the constitution of the state of California.

Within the Episcopal Church, to quote one of our great former Presiding Bishops, Edmond L. Browning, "there will be no outcasts in this church."

+ J. Jon Bruno
Bishop of Los Angeles

5 comments:

Grandpa said...

"Sadly enough, a small majority - 52 percent of voters - was able to alter the constitution of the great state of California."

The system works.

Neil Houghton said...

"Grandpa's" rationale had it's day in the US until activists courts started breaking it down in the with Brown v. Board.

it's margaret said...

Susan --is there any merit to the new article at the Cafe claiming that it is just the word, not the rights, that have been squashed? http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/church_and_state/initial_response_to_supreme_co.html

Inquiring minds want to know...

IT said...

margaret, it's like everything else in this movement...we won't know for sure till it's litigated.

But many commentators are saying that in some respects this opinion upholds gay rights. We are still accorded the same degree of scrutiny as racial minorities. They made it clear that Prop8 could not interfere with our rights to make "arrangments". It ain't a victory for our side. The question is whether it's a victory for theirs.

MarkBrunson said...

The system works.What an unspeakably inhumane and savage person you must be to come here with that statement. It can only have been meant as a sadistic dig - pure, unreasoning, savage hatred.

Do you teach your grandchild(ren) to pull the legs off spiders?