Media Release: Bishop Mathes Responds to Supreme Court Ruling on Marriage Equality

Today’s Supreme Court decision on marriage equality brings to a close the legal questions regarding marriage. In his majority opinion, Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy states, “The court now holds that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry. No longer may this liberty be denied to them.”

As one who believes that love and marriage should be available to all, I am thankful for this decision. I remember the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”

Thus, today is a day of thanksgiving for me and for so many who have personally felt pain and injustice in their lives. However, this 5-4 decision points to the reality that, despite much change in the last two years, many disagree with this decision–some on religious and theological grounds.

I would suggest that as we give thanks, we also remain aware that this is still a place of disagreement. Our yearning for the peaceable kingdom calls upon us to be sensitive to the reality that while this decision of our highest court concludes the political debate, we must hold space for continued conversation in which we honor all.

— The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego