[Episcopal Diocese of New York] Diocese of New York Bishops Mark Sisk, Andrew Dietsche and Andrew Smith have each written letters transmitted electronically to the people of the diocese commending President Obama’s recent expression of support for marriage equality.

The texts of the letters follow.

From Bishop Sisk
Dear People of the Diocese of New York,

I welcome President Obama’s expression of support for marriage equality for gay and lesbian people. Given that equality before the law is a fundamental principle of our republic, it seems to me that our President has reached an eminently appropriate conclusion.

In earlier statements I have made known my support of marriage for gay and lesbian people. I am convinced that this support is entirely in keeping with the familiar call to respect the dignity of every human being. It is, moreover, in accord with our Lord’s promise that we are all, fully and equally, beloved children of God.

Faithfully yours,
+Mark
The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk
XV Bishop of New York

From Bishop Dietsche
Brothers and Sisters,

I heartily join Bishop Sisk in commending President Obama for his public statement supporting the legality of marriage for gay and lesbian couples. There is a clear and growing majority in America which believes that marriage equality is fair and just, and that it is a moral imperative for a country founded on principles of the equality of all people. We in New York can justly take pride that our state has been a pioneer in providing this equality under the law, and in the Diocese of New York we rejoice with all those who have found, in these new freedoms, the public validation of loving relationships that in many cases represent decades of shared joys and sacrifices.

At our General Convention this summer our own church will consider new liturgies for the blessing of same sex relationships. Happily, in New York, such blessings have long been part of our common life. We pray for the Episcopal Church as it gathers in Convention that it will hear the courageous declaration of our president, the convictions of our own bishop, and the witness of those who have already found comfort, joy and solace in our marriage equality laws, as we work together toward true equality for all people in a church which follows our Lord Jesus. It was he who taught us that in every person we may find the face of our God, and that in every marriage we may hope to see “a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world.”

+Andy
The Rt. Rev. Andrew M.L. Dietsche
Bishop Coadjutor of New York

From Bishop Smith
Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I, too, heartily endorse the initiative and action of President Obama in affirming the appropriateness of marriage between persons of the same sex, and I wish to “second” the reasoning so clearly enunciated by Bishop Sisk and Bishop Dietsche.

+Drew
The Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith
Assistant Bishop, Diocese of New York