WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Many Vt. Church Leaders Support Gay Marriage
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Burlington, Vermont - March 11, 2009
182 members of Vermont's clergy have signed on to a declaration in support of same-sex marriage.
They represent nine religious denominations and spoke out in advance of next week's Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on a bill that would extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Some clergy told reporters at a press conference today they had the support of their congregations, but not necessarily the support of their churches' governing bodies.
"Both congregations would on the whole support our church celebrating and their pastor officiating at a gay marriage," said Rev. Rebecca Clark, who serves both the Grace United Methodist Church in Plainfield and the Trinity United Methodist Church in Montpelier. "But it still would not be permitted by the United Methodist Church. Although the majority of United Methodists in Vermont support gay marriage and have supported civil unions in our own legislation, the United Methodist Church sets its polity as a global body. The global body has a different stance."
Vermont's governor says he's against gay marriage. Jim Douglas says Vermont's civil unions law is good the way it is and the state doesn't need a "divisive" debate on the topic.
Kate Duffy - WCAX News
