Anglican Church in America
(Traditional Anglican Communion)
Diocese of the Northeast
The Rt. Rev. Brian R. Marsh, Bishop
1 Main Street, Belchertown MA 01007
                       

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2009
Contact: Office of the Bishop  (413)230-6933

BISHOP ADVISES FLOCK TO SUPPORT TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

The Right Rev. Brian D. Marsh, Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeast, Anglican Church in America, has issued a message to all clergy and parishes in the Diocese of the Northeast to contact lawmakers and express their opposition to recently filed legislation in support of same-sex marriages.

In a statement to be issued to all parishes and clergy, the Bishop reaffirmed the Church’s stance on same-sex marriages.  “Marriage, throughout human history, has been defined as a permanent and monogamous relationship between one man and one woman. The family unit - a married couple and their children - has for that same time been the essential and basic building block of society.”

“The fact that marriage was instituted by God for the health and perpetuation of the human race means nothing to those who have decided for themselves that God is irrelevant and the Bible is a relic from the past. The State of Maine, and other political entities, have legally provided for groups of two or more adults, regardless of sex, to share certain privileges with married couples under the civil law regarding taxes, inheritance, medical insurance, and so forth, but such provisions neither constitute nor require a redefinition of marriage.”

The Bishop urged parishes to work together with those opposed to the redefinition of marriage.  “The State should not attempt to overturn what has been ordained by God.  In a reasonable world, a group of legislators or judges could no more change the universally accepted definition of marriage than they could redefine eating to include watching a cooking show.”

The Anglican Church in America is part of the worldwide Traditional Anglican Communion, with members in 44 countries, which seeks to uphold the Catholic Faith, Apostolic Order, Orthodox Worship and Evangelical Witness of the Anglican tradition within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. The Communion holds Holy Scripture and the ancient Creeds of the Undivided Church as authentic and authoritative, and worships according to the traditional formularies of the Church.