The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, a group of "continuing Episcopalians" within the Diocese of South Carolina, has embraced a rite that would bless same-sex relationships. Its leaders are involved in a legal battle over property against a diocese that broke away from the denomination.

"Our covenantal life with God is expressed in relationships of commitment and faithfulness, including those of same-sex couples," a document from the group about the rrelatively new rite states. "It is the Church's joy to celebrate these relationships as signs of God's love, to pray for God's grace to support couples in their life together, and to join with these couples in our shared witness to the gospel in the world."

The Rt. Rev. Charles G. vonRosenberg, bishop of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, sent out a letter Tuesday allowing for priests to perform the rite known as "The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant." more >>

A trial centered around the name, seal, and property of a diocese that broke away from The Episcopal Church over theological differences will begin Tuesday.

After months of legal back and forth between TEC and the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, the trial will decide who rightfully owns the assets and property of the diocese.

Supporters of the denomination who remain within the Diocese are known as The Episcopal Church in South Carolina. more >>

A second gay priest has married his same-sex partner in a ceremony, going against the Church of England's doctrine. Meanwhile, the first gay priest to do so has had his clergy rights revoked by his bishop.

The Rev. Andrew Cain, vicar of St. James church in West Hampstead, London, married his partner Stephen Foreshew on Saturday, The Guardian reported. The ceremony was in defiance of Church of England rules, after the House of Bishops reaffirmed marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman earlier this year, and banned the blessing of same-sex unions.

Cain, who posted photos of his wedding on his Twitter account, became the second known priest to make such a move. Canon Jeremy Pemberton, a hospital chaplain, who married his long-term partner back in April, was notified that his rights as a priest are going to be revoked, the Daily Mail reported on Saturday. more >>

Pope Francis told the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at a meeting on Monday that their division is a "scandal and an obstacle to our proclaiming the Gospel of salvation to the world," while both Church leaders expressed hopes to move forward in unity.

"We cannot claim that our division is anything less than a scandal and an obstacle to our proclaiming the Gospel of salvation to the world," Francis told Welby according to Asia News. The Roman Catholic Church leader added: "The goal of full unity may seem distant indeed, [. . .] it remains the aim which should direct our every step along the way."

Francis added that although they share a "commitment to the great cause of reconciliation and communion between Christian believers," a problem is that "Our vision is often blurred by the cumulative burden of our divisions and our will is not always free of that human ambition which can accompany even our desire to preach the Gospel as the Lord commanded (Matthew 28:19)." more >>

The head of the Episcopal Diocese, where the first openly gay bishop once served, has expressed "sadness" at the news of the former bishop's pending divorce.

Bishop A. Robert Hirschfeld of the Diocese of New Hampshire sent an email out to over 190 church officials in the diocese regarding the news of Gene Robinson's divorcing Mark Andrew, his partner of 25 years.

In the email, provided to The Christian Post by the Diocese, Hirschfeld forwarded Robinson's divorce announcement with comments of his own included. more >>

A group of New Jersey churches held a Stations of the Cross procession with each stop being put at a scene of a violent crime.

Last week, the churches held the processional with about 80 people participating in Jersey City on Good Friday.

Grace Church Rector the Rev. Laurie Wurm told The Christian Post that a major reason for the procession was the parallel drawn between the condition of the streets of Jersey City and the passion of Good Friday. more >>