[Episcopal Diocese of California press release] The Episcopal Diocese of California rejoices today that Proposition 8 and Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act have been overturned. The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, bishop of California was at City Hall for the announcement and said, “It is one struggle, on one unimaginably long arc of time, but let us not be ever weary, as the outcome is assured by God,” about not only LGBT equality, but all justice work.

When same-sex marriages are offered again in California, the bishop will welcome clergy of the Diocese of California to not only offer blessings to same-sex couples, but also to officiate at the legal marriages of all people. Andrus also added, “We in The Episcopal Church will keep our commitment to global justice as well, as there are countries where not only is there no marriage equality, but where it is mortally dangerous to be an LGBT person by the laws of those same countries.”

The Diocese of California is committed to all forms of justice work and notes that although marriage equality is a milestone, there is much work to do for immigrants, people of color, transpeople, the poor, andqueer people of color. Bishop Andrus will be speaking at a press conference at 2 p.m. at Grace Cathedral on June 26. His full remarks will be available on his blog, www.bishopmarc.org, after 3 p.m.

The Episcopal Diocese of California serves a diverse community of faith encompassing the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Approximately 27,000 people form 80 congregations in seven counties.