Today, the Right Reverend W. Nicholas Knisely, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, joined a growing chorus of faith leaders from across Rhode Island calling on the General Assembly to enact marriage equality legislation. Reverend Gene Dyszlewski, chair of the Rhode Island Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality, offered the following statement in response:
“On behalf of the more than 140 members of the clergy who make up the Rhode Island Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality, I thank Bishop Knisely for his support and welcome him to our cause,” said Reverend Dyszlewski. “His statement endorsing HB5015 – not in spite of his faith in Christ, but because of it – is a powerful and eloquent reminder that, in the end, this debate is about families. It is about those loving and committed couples, our friends and neighbors, who are denied access to the unique recognition and protection offered by civil marriage.”
The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island was founded in 1790. It currently includes 50 parishes and represents 35,000 communicants throughout the state. Bishop W. Nicholas Knisely was consecrated as the 13th Bishop of Rhode Island on November 17, 2012.
