After a year of study, the Board of Ministry voted without dissent to recommend that The Memorial Church be made available for the religious ceremonies of commitment between members of the same sex who are members of the University. Those eligible to hold such services are current students, alumni listed in the Directory, officers of administration and instruction, and employees of the University. Clergy of all denominations who prepare eligible couples for these services will be welcome to officiate.
The recommendation was accepted in behalf of The Memorial Church by its minister, The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes, who announced that it would come into effect from July 1. "I thank the Board of Ministry, and in particular its chair, Thomas Mikelson, and the subcommittee's chair, Victor Kazanjian, for their thoughtful report, and I am pleased to be able to extend the hospitality of this University Church to all members of the University," said Gomes. "Our staff will do all that we can to assist in the development of these services."
The Board noted in its discussion that this action was consistent with the University's long-standing principle of non-discrimination, and an affirmation of the hospitality of The Memorial Church as, in the words of Isaiah, "a house of prayer for all people."
The Board of Ministry is Harvard's advisory body for religious affairs and serves to review policies relevant to the practice of religion across the University. It consists of persons drawn from the University and the wider ecumenical community, and also serves as a committee of advice to the minister in The Memorial Church.
The Memorial Church is Harvard's nondenominational University church. Founded in the Protestant Christian tradition, The Memorial Church maintains a broad ecumenical program of worship, service, and teaching. The present building was built in 1932 as a memorial to the dead of World War I. It has never belonged to any one denomination and all members of the University are welcome to celebrate religious ceremonies within its walls.