Franklin Graham Breaks Down Exactly Why He Believes the Episcopal Church Deserved 'Major Scolding' It Just Received Over Gay Marriage

Evangelist Franklin Graham agrees with the Anglican Communion's "major scolding" of the Episcopal Church over its embrace of gay marriage, writing on his Facebook page that he's hoping that the Episcopalians will now "turn back to following what God's word tells us."

"They deserve to be called out for this," Graham wrote of the Episcopalians' embrace of same-sex unions and of gay priests. "It is wrong and is against what Almighty God clearly teaches in His word."

He continued, "I hope this will cause the Episcopal Church here in America to realize the seriousness of the steps they’ve taken contrary to the Bible and cause them to turn back to following what God’s word tells us."

As TheBlaze previously reported, the Anglican Communion voted on Thursday to temporarily suspend the U.S. Episcopal Church from key decision-making positions in the communion over the denomination’s endorsement of gay marriage.

In addition to doling out this swift punishment, an official statement from the Anglican Communion reaffirmed the biblical nature of traditional marriage.

“The traditional doctrine of the church in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds marriage as between a man and a woman in faithful, lifelong union,” the statement said. “The majority of those gathered reaffirm this teaching.”

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Despite this punishment, which essentially renders the Episcopal Church a mere observer within the Anglican Communion, Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry told the Associated Press on Friday that he has no plans to turn back on the embrace of gay nuptials.

"They heard from me directly that that's not something that we're considering," Curry told the outlet. "They basically understand we made our decision, and this is who we are, and we're committed to being a house of prayer for all."

It is unclear what will happen at the end of the three-year penalty period if the Episcopal Church continues to be defiant on the issue.

--

Follow the author of this story on Twitter and Facebook:

Follow @BillyHallowell