Religion Briefs : Episcopal Diocese to Probe Whether Priest Blessed Same-Sex Relationship

The San Francisco-based Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of California is investigating whether a priest has violated his order against performing a rite blessing a homosexual relationship.

Bishop William Swing said this week that he will appoint a five-member panel to determine whether the Rev. Robert Cromey, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in San Francisco, has “blessed same-sex unions,” and if he should be tried in an ecclesiastical court.

“I thought it important for the sake of church order to see if he had stepped over the bounds,” Swing said.

Cromey said the inquiry “scares me, but on the other hand I’m delighted for the opportunity to publicize the second-class treatment the church gives gay (and) lesbian people.”

Blessings for same-sex unions have occurred in some U.S. Episcopal dioceses, including Los Angeles. The issue of heterosexual and homosexual couples living together outside of marriage is expected to be discussed further at the denomination’s convention this summer in Detroit.