"Freedom and Equality" Comes To Spain

Do you hear that grinding sound?? Centuries of departed Popes are rolling over in their graves. Roman Catholic Spain, Gem on the Pope's ring, Steadfast Executioner of the Inquisition, has voted in favor of allowing gay couples to marry!! If I close my eyes, I can see Jesus smiling, taking a deep breath, turning to his Father and saying, "Finally!!"

It wasn't even close, 187-147 in the Spanish Parliament. Spain now joins the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as places where gays and lesbians can legally tie the knot with the blessing of the presiding government. And, as you may or may not know, Canada will follow suit by the end of July and England, quite possibly, within two years!!

Before the vote was taken, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez told the parliament, "We were not the first, but I am sure we will not be the last. After us will come other countries, driven, ladies and gentlemen, by two unstoppable forces: freedom and equality."

After the vote he stated, "It is a small change in wording that means an immense change in the lives of thousands of citizens. We are not legislating, ladies and gentlemen, for remote unknown people. We are expanding opportunities for the happiness of our neighbors, our work colleagues, our friends, our relatives." American legislators would do well to listen to those words of wisdom.

The Spanish legislation also allows for gay and lesbian couples to freely adopt children and have the same rights of inheritance as heterosexual couples.

Good news is also coming from close to home. In Atlanta, the United Church of Christ has a meeting set to endorse gay marriage. And in the Southwest, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Grand Canyon Synod became the 23rd of 65 Synods to open their arms to gays and lesbians. Bishop Michael Neils said, "Support was overwhelming!" A church committee is now looking at an approval process for gay and lesbian clergy, rather than a system of restraint from discipline.

In your time, Lord, but I hope it's in my time as well.

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