CT Diocese recommends priests be allowed to perform civil unions

[davidinalameda]

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--civilunions-churc1022oct22%2C0%2C509353%2Cprint.story

Members of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut passed a resolution Saturday urging Bishop Andrew Smith to allow priests in Connecticut to preside at civil union ceremonies.

The resolution passed overwhelmingly at the diocese annual meeting, church officials said.

A law allowing same-sex civil unions in Connecticut took effect Oct. 1. But Smith reminded clergy in a recent memo that they are not authorized to officiate at blessings of same-sex unions. He said that won't change at least until the House of Bishops meets in 2006.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Granted, I haven't been a member of ECUSA in years, but....

How is it that pets, cropland, parish boundary markers and automobiles can be the recipient of a blessing ceremony, but same-sex couples can not? It is my understanding that such ceremonies were doable at the discretion of the priest. Provided that such a blessing ceremony is clearly not a marriage, how can it be prohibited?