The Presiding Bishop of the US Episcopal Church imposed an immediate partial ban on the ministry of the Bishop of Albany in New York and warned a canonical offence may have been committed.
It comes after William Love wrote to churches within his diocese, saying he did not support a resolution which allowed clergy to conduct same-sex ceremonies even if their bishops disagreed.
Bishop Michael Curry said: "While I am persuaded of the sincerity and good will of Bishop Love in these difficult circumstances, I am convinced that Resolution B012 was intended by the Convention to be mandatory and binding upon all our dioceses...
"I am therefore persuaded that, as Presiding Bishop, I am called upon to take steps to ensure that same-sex marriage in The Episcopal Church is available to all persons to the same extent and under the same conditions in all Dioceses of the Church where same-sex marriage is civilly legal."
Bishop William Love (pictured below) is not allowed to discipline clergy who participate in same-sex weddings, under the restriction. The limitation will be ongoing until the matter is resolved, Bishop Michael Curry said.
In his November 2018 letter, Bishop William Love said the same-sex marriage rites approved by The Episcopal Church's governing body "shall not be used anywhere in the Diocese of Albany by diocesan clergy".
He continued: "Jesus is calling the Church to follow His example. He is calling the Church to have the courage to speak His Truth in love about homosexual behaviour - even though it isn't politically correct.
Presiding Bishop (@PB_Curry) issues response to Bishop William Love's November 10, 2018 Pastoral Letter and Directive
— PB Michael Curry (@PB_Curry) January 11, 2019
English: https://t.co/wCzwMW45f3
Español: https://t.co/ZYqNfeph1n
"Sexual relations between two men or two women was never part of God's plan and is a distortion of His design in creation and as such is to be avoided.
"To engage in sexual intimacy outside of marriage between a man and women, is against God's will and therefore sinful and needs to be repented of, NOT encouraged or told it is OK."
Love also alleged that The Episcopal Church had been "hijacked" by the gay rights movement.
Another bishop will assess whether Bishop William Love should face a disciplinary process.
Concerned The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada have embraced un-Biblical views on marriage and other matters during recent decades, almost 1,000 churches have joined the breakaway Anglican Church of North Anglican.
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