Episcopal Church punished over acceptance of same-sex marriage

The International Anglican Communion has punished the Episcopal Church over its acceptance of same-sex marriage.

The Episcopal Church will not be allowed to participate in many of the communion’s internal decisions or represent Anglicans in meetings with Christians and other faith groups for three years, according to CNN.

The decision was made in a meeting by leaders of the Anglican Communion’s 38 provinces in a meeting in Canterbury, England.

The Anglican archbishops released a statement after the news was leaked to the media.

" Recent developments in the Episcopal Church with respect to a change in their canon on marriage represent a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching held by the majority of our provinces on the doctrine of marriage,” they said.

Traditional Anglican doctrine “upholds marriage as between a man and a woman in faithful, lifelong union,” the statement from the church leaders continued.

Episcopalians voted to change their church law (canons) last June to allow same-sex marriage and adopted new wedding rites that can be used by both straight and gay couples.

International archbishops said, by doing this, the church challenged Scripture, compromised the bonds among the provinces in the Anglican Communion and spread mistrust among its members.

Before the vote, the Episcopal presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, said the suspension would cause “real pain” for Episcopalians.

“For fellow disciples of Jesus in our church who are gay or lesbian, this will bring more pain,” Curry said.

“For many who have felt and been rejected by the church because of who they are, for many who have felt and been rejected by families and communities, our church opening itself in love was a sign of hope. And this will add pain on top of pain.”