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 The Church, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, became in
2012 the largest U.S. religious denomination to approve a liturgy
for clergy to use in blessing same-sex unions, including gay
marriages in states where they were already legal.
While some clergy and lay members disagreed with the proposal put
before the Church's triennial convention, held in Salt Lake City,
the faith's House of Deputies concurred with the House of Bishops,
which overwhelmingly approved the measure in a separate vote on
Tuesday.
"In 1976, the Church promised full and equal claim to LGBT members,
and we've spent those years making that resolution a reality," said
the Rev. Susan Russell of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
 "Today's action is a huge step ... toward a promised land of a
Church that fully includes all its members," she said.
But the Rev. Neal Michell, dean of St. Matthew's Cathedral in
Dallas, said he opposed such unions because "the teaching of
scriptures says marriage itself is between a man and a woman. That's
the teaching of the (Book of Common Prayer) and our catechism."
Under the new rules, clergy can opt out of performing gay marriage
ceremonies.
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The Episcopal Church is the 14th largest U.S. religious
denomination, with about 2 million members, according to the
National Council of Churches.
In 2003, its members elected Gene Robinson, who lived with his male
partner, as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, leading to
fractious relations with conservative Episcopal dioceses in the
United States and some members of the global Anglican Communion,
especially in Africa.
(Reporting by Peg McEntee; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Peter
Cooney)
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