West Hollywood, California -
A letter from President George W. Bush has two gay pastors scratching their heads. The letter, on White House stationary, congratulates the Metropolitan Community Churches on its 35th anniversary, and was written the same week the president was observing anti-gay Marriage Protection Week.
The letter was received by MCC Moderator Dr. Troy Perry (left), and Rev. Neil Thomas, senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles.
The LGBT Protestant denomination was founded by Perry in 1968. Today, MCC provides almost 300 local churches for its 43,000 members and adherents in 22 countries.
One of MCC's biggest mandates is fighting for the legalization of same-sex marriage, a position opposed by the President and most of the Republican Party.
MCC churches perform more than 6000 same-sex weddings annually. Only those in Ontario and British Columbia are legally recognized.
"By encouraging the celebration of faith and sharing of God's love and boundless mercy, churches like yours put hope in people's hearts and a sense of purpose in their lives," the President's letter says. "This milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on your years of service and to rejoice in God's faithfulness to your congregation.”
But, in his proclamation endorsing "Marriage Protection Week," Bush wrote, "Marriage is a sacred institution, and its protection is essential to the continued strength of our society. Marriage Protection Week provides an opportunity to focus our efforts on preserving the sanctity of marriage and on building strong and healthy marriages in America."
Marriage Protection Week was organized by such Religious Right leaders as Jerry Falwell, Dr. James Dobson, the Southern Baptist Convention and the American Family Association to deny equality under the law to gays and lesbians.
MCC calls the two positions a mixed-message at best, or politics at worst.
“How does one denounce the right of gays and lesbians to marry in their churches and suggest they are incapable of having healthy marriages in one moment, and in the next rejoice in God's faithfulness to a gay and lesbian congregation that performs such same-sex marriages?” asked Rev. Thomas.
The White House has not responded to a request from 365Gay.com for clarification.
by Mary Ellen Peterson
365Gay.com Newscenter
Los Angeles Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2003
The letter was received by MCC Moderator Dr. Troy Perry (left), and Rev. Neil Thomas, senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles.
The LGBT Protestant denomination was founded by Perry in 1968. Today, MCC provides almost 300 local churches for its 43,000 members and adherents in 22 countries.
One of MCC's biggest mandates is fighting for the legalization of same-sex marriage, a position opposed by the President and most of the Republican Party.
MCC churches perform more than 6000 same-sex weddings annually. Only those in Ontario and British Columbia are legally recognized.
"By encouraging the celebration of faith and sharing of God's love and boundless mercy, churches like yours put hope in people's hearts and a sense of purpose in their lives," the President's letter says. "This milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on your years of service and to rejoice in God's faithfulness to your congregation.”
But, in his proclamation endorsing "Marriage Protection Week," Bush wrote, "Marriage is a sacred institution, and its protection is essential to the continued strength of our society. Marriage Protection Week provides an opportunity to focus our efforts on preserving the sanctity of marriage and on building strong and healthy marriages in America."
Marriage Protection Week was organized by such Religious Right leaders as Jerry Falwell, Dr. James Dobson, the Southern Baptist Convention and the American Family Association to deny equality under the law to gays and lesbians.
MCC calls the two positions a mixed-message at best, or politics at worst.
“How does one denounce the right of gays and lesbians to marry in their churches and suggest they are incapable of having healthy marriages in one moment, and in the next rejoice in God's faithfulness to a gay and lesbian congregation that performs such same-sex marriages?” asked Rev. Thomas.
The White House has not responded to a request from 365Gay.com for clarification.
by Mary Ellen Peterson
365Gay.com Newscenter
Los Angeles Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2003
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.
