The Episcopal Bishops of California issued a statement today in opposition to Proposition 8, the proposed amendment to the state’s constitution to reserve marriage as only between a man and a woman, saying that “Jesus calls us to love rather than hate, to give rather than to receive, to live into hope rather than fear.”

The statement added that the Bishops did not believe that heterosexual marriage is threatened by same-sex marriage, and that "...the Christian values of monogamy, commitment, love, mutual respect and witness of monogamy are enhanced for all by providing this right to gay and straight alike."

The statement noted that not all of the California Episcopal Bishops are of one mind on how Church clergy should participate with the State in same-sex marriage. The statement pointed out that "we are adamant that justice demands that same-sex civil marriage continue in our state and advocate voting ‘No' on Proposition Eight."

The Rt. Rev. Jerry Lamb, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, noted the 2006 General Convention [the governing convention of The Episcopal Church] passed a resolution to oppose any state or federal constitutional amendment that prohibits same-sex civil marriage or civil unions. "We are all part of the decision-making process of General Convention, and I support this resolution of our 75th General Convention."

A copy of the full statement can be found here.