Pastor to Bless Gay Couples : Religion: A leading Episcopal clergyman says he will perform the wedding-like rites, even though his church deems them ‘inappropriate.’

The pastor of the biggest Episcopal parish on the West Coast said Friday that he will perform church blessings for gays and lesbians, despite his denomination’s opposition to wedding-like rites for same-sex couples.

“Now is the time to say that gay and lesbian people living faithfully with the same ethical standards of heterosexuals should be blessed,” said the Rev. George Regas of Pasadena’s All Saints Episcopal Church.

Regas’ stand will be another test of the progressive mettle of the 6,700-member parish, which has been asked recently to oppose U.S. military action in the Persian Gulf and to champion abortion rights.

His prominence in the 2.4-million-member denomination, which has a growing conservative wing, is likely to heighten the controversy over blessings for same-sex couples.

Scattered liberal parishes around the country have conducted such rites, but same-gender blessings are considered “inappropriate” as the Episcopal Church continues its debate on issues relating to homosexual activity.

Regas on Friday released the text of his sermon last Sunday in which he explained his position in carefully worded, but frank, terms:

“The core issue (for sexual ethics) is not whether genital love is within or outside of heterosexual marriage. The pivotal issue is the integrity of the relationship. . . . Gay men and lesbians desire and need deep, lasting relationships . . . and they should not be denied genital expressions of that loving communion.”

Clergy of several non-Catholic denominations have blessed gay and lesbian couples in recent years. Some liberal Episcopal parishes have conducted the rites in Massachusetts, Michigan and perhaps other states, as well as in St. Augustine-by-the-Sea Episcopal parish in Santa Monica.

“It is not prohibited by church law at this point,” said James Solheim, a spokesman for the New York-based denomination.

“Same-sex blessing is an issue at least as touchy as, if not more than, the issue of ordaining openly gay priests,” Solheim said. “That’s because opponents feel the sanctity of heterosexual marriage is being threatened. They don’t want any comparisons made to weddings. It’s become a very emotional debate.”

Bishop Frederick Borsch of Los Angeles was in El Salvador and unavailable for comment Friday.

A resolution seeking church blessings for gay and lesbian couples will come before the annual convention of the six-county Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 in Riverside. The resolution was submitted by Integrity, the Episcopal gay caucus.

Regas told parishioners Sunday that he is “strongly committed to bless same-sex covenants,” but he did not say when he will start.

“I want us to struggle, gay and straight together, to discern the best way to move on this decision,” he said.

The priest said he knows many gay and lesbian couples in the congregation. “I’m convinced, without any question, of the integrity and goodness of their relationship,” he said.

Most mainstream churches state that they welcome gays and lesbians to their worship services and church activities. But in more conservative churches, it is generally understood by churchgoers that homosexuals are expected to be celibate and seek to change their sexual outlook.

By contrast, Regas said that his reading and experience tell him that “at least 90% of homosexuals do not have anything remotely close to a choice in their sexual orientation.”