Same -sex marriages can now be performed in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, said Bishop Robert Wright.

Rev. Robert Wright, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta
icon to expand image

Rev. Wright  said such  unions can be performed under the same policy that applies to heterosexual marriages, including that one of the couple will be a baptized member of the parish where the marriage is to be performed.

If a clergy member declines to perform a same-sex wedding, the bishop is to be notified so that  he might locate another priest willing to perform the ceremony.

In 2012, Wright wrote a letter to clergy allowing them to perform blessings of same-sex couples. The letter stated that priests were not obligated to perform a blessing and, in fact, may decline to preside at   one without fear of penalty.

The diocese covers Middle and North Georgia.

Bishop Wright blessed the marriage of the Rev. Cynthia Hizer and Margaret Putnam during a Sept. 21, 2014, liturgy at Church of the Epiphany, Atlanta, with Rector Benno Pattison. The couple was married the previous August in New Mexico.

“Today the nation’s highest court has concluded that the Constitution guarantees a nationwide right to same-sex marriage,” Wright said. “In the days ahead, whatever your position, I ask you to keep close to your heart and lips the word of Scripture, that “God is love.” Christ’s church is trans-political…above all earthly partisanship. Therefore, if love has won even a small victory today, then let us rejoice.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

One reader is asking the AJC to help her find cottage cheese made by Mayfield. (Ihar Balaikin/Dreamstime/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Featured

Members of the conversion crew take a break as the main scoreboard is lowered to the floor to be worked on as the arena gets ready for the next concert at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Atlanta. The crew was working on creating a stage for the Friday, Oct. 3 Maxwell concert. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com