September 16, 2006

The Right Reverend Larry Maze, who became the twelfth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas in 1994, attracted controversy for his support for gay and lesbian members of the Church when he conducted its first blessing of a same-sex relationship. The union of Ted Holder and Joe van den Duevel was blessed at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock (Pulaski County). Approval of such relationships was controversial, with many churches dividing over the matter, and Bishop Maze resigned his position the following November.