Curry's diocese is one of at least six among the nation's 108 U.S. Episcopal dioceses to adopt official, written policies allowing the blessing of same-sex unions. The Raleigh-based diocese is home to 121 parishes in Mecklenburg and 38 other N.C. counties.

The U.S. Episcopal church, with 2.3 million members, does not officially have a liturgy for same-sex blessings. But the denomination acknowledges that an unknown number of bishops -- including Robert Johnson in Asheville -- allows their clergy to conduct them.

Kaye Lasater Culp, a spokesperson for Curry's Raleigh-based diocese, said no same-sex ceremonies have been held in the diocese with the bishop's approval. "If this was done before," she said, "it's been done on its own."

Of the four other Carolinas dioceses, only the Western North Carolina diocese allows its clergy to bless same-sex unions. There, Johnson said an unwritten "collegial policy" allows parishes to decide for themselves. He said three parishes among 72 in the diocese have conducted fewer than 10 ceremonies. He said parishes will still be free to decide for themselves when he retires and is succeeded in September by the Rev. Porter Taylor of Athens, Ga.

Nearly every mainstream religion denomination in the United States has been battling over gay marriage and ordination for years, with no resolution in sight. Nowhere has the controversy been hotter than in the U.S. Episcopal church, with last summer's confirmation of Gene Robinson of New Hampshire as the first openly gay bishop in the church serving as the spark.

Already, Curry's July 1 letter to clergy is stirring more debate, and having an influence.

With the bishop's blessing, the Rev. David Pittman of St. Peter's Episcopal Church said he'll now ask lay leaders at the uptown Charlotte church to OK two requests for same-sex ceremonies.

"I don't imagine it will be a problem," Pittman said. "We bless homes and consecrate buildings. I think people are more important than things."

All four people belong to the 900-member church. One couple is male. Pittman said two women are planning their same-sex blessing to mark their 25th anniversary.

In Durham, St. Philip's Episcopal Church plans to bless same-sex unions within the year.

Other churches, though, will have no part of same-sex unions despite Curry opening the door.

While saying he respects the bishop for laying out his position, the Rev. Fred Hoffman of All Saints Episcopal Church in Concord said he believes blessing same-sex unions runs counter to his reading of Scripture.

"This is not an issue of being against homosexuality," he said. "We're called to love everybody."

But, Hoffman noted, "I don't think we have to accommodate to the culture."

Episcopalians angry over Curry's strong stance have made their feelings known this past year.

Spokesperson Culp said financial donations are down 15 percent since last August, when Robinson was confirmed amid national front-page headlines. She said such a drop likely results from tough economic times and disagreements with the bishop.

At a forum last September attended by 300 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, George Young of St. Margaret's Episcopal in Charlotte held up a check and told Curry: "You will never see this."

Curry's July 1 letter spells out guidelines for a principle he espoused a day after voting with the majority to confirm Robinson:

• Congregations can decide for themselves whether they want to bless same-sex unions.

• Those that do should consult with the bishop, and hold such ceremonies only "after wide and extended prayer, conversation and education in the parish and in consultation with the vestry (board of lay leaders)."

• As stated in the language of the denomination, relationships being blessed should be "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God."

As Curry put it at the close of his letter: "As followers of Jesus and members of the family of God, we are called to welcome, honor and love all persons."

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