Central Union Church urges acceptance of gay marriage

Central Union Church in Honolulu passed a resolution Sunday supporting marriage equality that also urges local faith congregations to allow same-sex marriages to be performed in their facilities.

The resolution passed with a 149-63 vote during a special meeting, according to a press release.

Eleanore Chong, chairwoman of the church’s Advisory Committee on Marriage Equality, said the resolution reads in part, "Be it resolved, that from this date forward, Central Union Church’s facilities shall be open to both opposite and same sex wedding ceremonies."

In Chong’s presentation at the meeting, she said: "By taking this historic action, we will have shown courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to embracing and affirming the differences that define, distinguish and sometimes divide us.

"Although we are an old and established congregation, we can show that we are a faith community which is forward-thinking, innovative and inclusive. The older our church, the more necessary it becomes to think in new ways."

Marriage equality was signed into Hawaii state law in November by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, following months of sometimes bitter and passionate debate.

The United Church of Christ denomination to which Central Union belongs has adopted resolutions for more than 30 years supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, the release said.