The Very Rev. Gary Hall, the dean of
the Washington National Cathedral, has called gay marriage a human
rights issue.
The
church announced earlier this month that it will be among the
first Episcopal congregations to implement a new rite of marriage for
gay members. However, the 106-year-old cathedral which has a storied
history steeped in presidential tradition is not expected to hold a
same-sex ceremony any time soon. The District of Columbia-based
church only marries church members and has a lengthy waiting list.
Appearing on cabler Current's The
War Room, Hall told host Jennifer Granholm that his church had a
long tradition of “social witness.”
“There is a long tradition of social
witness, both in the wider church and in the National Cathedral,”
Hall said. “And I would say, frankly … you know I've been
involved in this issue for a good couple of decades as an advocate
for same-sex marriage. But I think that this is clearly the human
rights issue of this part of the 21st century.”
“Some people will say, 'Well this is
a distraction. The church should get back to other issues.' But I
think marriage equality is the major social justice issue of this
moment and I think it's important for us to lead on it in our church
and in the cathedral.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)