NW PA Episcopal Diocese OK's same-sex blessings

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania says he'll allow priests in the 13-county diocese to conduct blessings of same-sex couples.

The move was approved by the Episcopal Church at its general convention in July, but didn't take effect until Dec. 2, the first Sunday of Advent, which marked the beginning of the new church calendar.

Even still, some dioceses weren't ready to implement it. The Right Rev. Sean Rowe OK'd it for his diocese on Wednesday.

Rowe favors the measure but realizes some do not. Priests and congregations will not be forced to offer the blessings.

The diocese has 34 congregations totaling about 4,700 members in the northwestern counties it serves.

Rowe says some congregations will offer the blessings immediately, others will after some discussion, while others may decide not to at all.