Episcopal Bishop Sanctioned After Marrying Gay Partner

SAN FRANCISCO — The Episcopal Diocese of California has sanctioned a retired bishop for marrying his same-sex partner during a church ceremony in San Francisco last month.

The Rev. Otis Charles told the Associated Press on Saturday that he had received a letter from Bishop William Swing informing him that his license to officiate at church services or preside over the church’s sacramental ceremonies, such as weddings or baptisms, had been revoked.

Charles, who served as Episcopal bishop of Utah for 15 years, married his partner of two years, Felipe Sanchez Paris, on April 24. Charles came out as gay after his 1993 retirement at age 67 and now lives in San Francisco.

Charles said he believed an April 29 article about the ceremony that appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle had provoked the disciplinary action by Swing. Charles said he had informed Swing, who he considered one of the faith’s most outspoken proponents of gay marriage, days before the wedding.

“It was done with the bishop’s knowledge and done according to his protocols,” Charles said.

The San Francisco-based diocesan office, where Swing and executive officer Rev. Canon Michael Hansen are headquartered, did not return calls for comment Saturday.

Although the Episcopal Church does not officially encourage same-sex unions, churches in some American dioceses bless gay couples.

In an article in the magazine Living Church, Hansen said that Charles had not contacted Swing before his marriage. He also said couples who want to have same-sex blessings in the Diocese of California must have their requests pre-approved and ensure that their celebrations do not resemble traditional marriage ceremonies.

The diocese was investigating whether any other clergy violated church policy by presiding at the couple’s nearly three-hour wedding at St. Gregory of Nyssa Church, Hansen said.