The Episcopal Church will allow same-sex couples to marry where they worship, in a reversal of previous restrictions. Most couples are allows to marry across the Episcopal Church, but bishops (particularly in Middle Tennessee and seven other US dioceses) would not allow gays and lesbians to marry in their churches.

The church’s governing body has now voted in the General Convention that couples must be able to marry at their local congregations, despite how the bishop may feel toward same-sex marriage.

“I am thrilled,” said Connally Davies Penley, a member of All Sacraments for All People.

“I think it’s a wonderful compromise, which respects the dignity of the bishop and his position, but still allows marriage for all in their home congregations,” said Davies Penley as she prepared to leave Texas on Friday afternoon.