Topeka ? The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas will begin authorizing limited blessings of non-married couples, whether homosexuals or heterosexuals for whom marriage would be a financial hardship, Bishop William E. Smalley said Monday.

The limited blessing would not be a substitute for matrimony and may not resemble it liturgically, Smalley said.

Smalley said he based his decision, which takes effect immediately, on an Episcopal resolution adopted in 2000, in which the church “acknowledged” that some members were living in committed relationships outside marriage.

“This has been a long struggle for me,” Smalley said. “Since General Convention it has been a daily struggle in my prayers. I can say this decision was reached prayerfully.”

Smalley said he believed Kansas was the first diocese to offer blessings to non-married heterosexuals, based on the language of the resolution. Kansas is not the first Episcopal diocese to bless homosexual unions, Smalley said.

“Others are doing it, but are very quiet about it,” he said.

Smalley said there has been one homosexual union that received Episcopal blessings in Kansas, which has about 14,000 Episcopalians. But that was a couple of years ago, and the clergy involved were disciplined.

“It was mild discipline,” Smalley said.

Smalley, citing the 38 years of marriage he and his wife, Carole, have shared, said they have benefited from the support of the church community.

“(We) have grown in our love and faith, in large part because of the church’s blessing and support.” He said he did not want to deny that same support, through the blessing of the church, to those who could not choose marriage.

The Rev. Jan Nunley, spokeswoman for the Episcopal Church USA, said Monday the church has left the issue of blessings for non-married couples up to each diocese.

“It’s a diocesan matter, and that’s how it will remain until summer 2003 at the General Convention in Minneapolis,” Nunley said. “It’s up to them.”

David Smith, spokesman for Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C., said Smalley’s decision was a step in the right direction.

“Every denomination has certainly been grappling with this issue for some time. The Episcopalians seem progressive compared to other denominations,” Smith said.

“This bishop should be applauded for taking care of his flock, many of whom are gay,” he said.

Richard Lessner, spokesman for Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., said he opposed the move.

“I’m not surprised that an Episcopal bishop has done this. …The Episcopal bishops are notorious for being rather renegades when it comes to church discipline and teaching,” Lessner said.

“In our view, marriage is the legal and moral union of one man and one woman. Whether it’s a counterfeit of same-sex couples or cohabiting heterosexual couples, it only weakens marriage,” he said.