Episcopal Primate says Anglican censure over same-sex marriage 'fair'

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, has called the recent censure of his church over allowing clergy to perform same-sex marriages a "fair" move by the wider Anglican Communion.

The Anglican primates casted their votes last month in Canterbury, England, for the removal and elimination of the Episcopal Church from votes on doctrine and prohibiting it to represent the communion in ambassadorial relationships.

The Presiding Bishop told the National Press Club, that the decision was very precise, allowing both differing provinces of the Communion to express their differences whilst remaining together. He stated that there was clarity on their part of both their identity as a church and their love and commitment to the communion. There was also clarity on the part that the opposing side differed with them.

Religion News reported Bishop Curry said he understood the reason the majority of Anglican leaders took such a stance. He explained, the Episcopal Church representing the Anglican Communion in ecumenical and interfaith leadership would not be seen appropriate as they differ on core doctrine.

He further expressed that the Episcopal Church believes in same-sex marriage because they consider the "outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross" as a welcoming and embracing all sign. 

According to Christianity Today, Curry's Lent message stated that it is not easy to be "Jesus' follower". He admitted the movement to be difficult and requiring hard work. It was not without struggle, following Jesus to the cross through the Resurrection, to new life. 

Curry was voted presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in July, 2015. At the same meeting his church voted to authorize its clergy to perform same-sex marriages — a move that differs with the majority of worldwide Anglican Communion provinces.