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Gay rabbis get the okay
07/12/2006 11:10 - (SA)
New York - Leaders of the Conservative Jewish movement opened the door on Wednesday to the ordination of gay rabbis and the recognition of gay marriage, but made it clear the more orthodox in the faith may go on opposing such liberalisation.
"We as a movement see the advocacy of pluralism and we know
that people come to different conclusions," said Rabbi Kassel
Abelson, speaking for the 25-member Rabbinical Assembly
Committee on Jewish Law and Standards which issued a series of
advisory reports.
"These ... are accepted as guides so that the gays and
lesbians can be welcomed into our congregation and communities
and made to feel accepted," he added.
The statements issued by the committee are not binding on
congregations or seminaries. One said openly gay people should
be allowed as rabbis and that gay marriages should be
sanctified but not recognised.
The group also upheld a 1992 statement that advises against
gay ordinations and the recognition of same-sex marriages - a
mixed approach that will allow both liberals and the more
orthodox in the movement to pursue whichever policies they
prefer.
- Reuters
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