Utah Bishop on Court’s Lifting the Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

December 21, 2013

[Episcopal Diocese of Utah]  As the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, I rejoice that U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby has struck down Utah’s Amendment 3.  All people should have the right to due process and equal protection enshrined in the 14th Amendment. Gay and lesbian people are human beings with hopes, dreams, and the need for love. I celebrate that now they will have access to the same fulfillment enjoyed by heterosexual people. They are people made in the image of God.

Many people will find this ruling difficult. The change that this represents will cause them heartache, frustration, and a feeling that our country is going in the wrong direction. Understanding, compassion and prayer for people who deplore this decision is important. They are people made in the image of God. I will be offering my prayers for them.

We are one people. We are one state. We can and must work to make Utah into the place where all people are treated with respect and dignity, and where God is seen in the face of each and every person. As the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, I will continue to welcome all people into The Episcopal Church.

Bishop Scott B. Hayashi

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About Bishop Hayashi

Nov. 6, 2010 Photo

The Right Reverend Scott B. Hayashi was consecrated as the Eleventh Bishop of Utah on November 6, 2010, following his election in May, 2010.

Bishop Hayashi served as Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Chicago, for five years, prior to his Utah election. In his Chicago position, he acted as the Bishop’s confidante, Chief of Staff to 20 employees, deployment officer, consultant on congregational development, as leader of Diocesan Council, and as general troubleshooter for the diocese. Prior to holding that position, Scott was a parish priest from 1984-2005, serving in parishes in Washington, Ogden, Utah, and California.

Bishop Hayashi was the youngest of 3 children from an unchurched family from Tacoma, Washington, and he is the only active Christian from this nuclear family. His desire to know and to understand spirituality in general led him to a longing to know Christ when he was 15-years old. He has been engaged in critical Bible study since his conversion.

Hayashi attended Harvard Divinity School where he met his wife, Amy, who was then a student at Episcopal Divinity School. They have been married for 29 years and have three daughters ages 27, 23, and 15. His undergraduate work was at the University of Washington where he received a Bachelor of Social Work degree. He also obtained a Certificate of Theology from CDSP in 1984.

The Bishop was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Spokane in 1984. In addition to his work in the Diocese of Chicago, he has acted as a Conference Leader for CREDO since 1999 and has worked with nearly 600 clergy of The Episcopal Church in the area of wellness and development. He has served in rural, urban and suburban parishes, thus drawing on a variety of experience in a broad spectrum of the Episcopal Church.

Bishop Hayashi has fought for the dignity of all humans in our immigration laws, health care for all, rights for all who are made in God’s image, and respect for those of other faith traditions.

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