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rTÎTTTTTÎTl news
he Episcopal House of Bishops
confirmed the Rev. V. Gene
Robinson as the denominations
first openly gay bishop during their
74th General Convention on
Aug. 5 in Minneapolis. He will lead the diocese
of New Hampshire, which elected him in June.
Diocesan bishops only were permitted to cast
ballots; 62 voted in favor, 43 were opposed, and
two abstained. Robinson needed only a simple
majority to win consent.
Earlier that day he was cleared of 1 lth-hour
allegations of sexual misconduct. The investiga
tion explored a claim that Robinson was
involved in a Web site that ultimately linked to
an adult-content site. It also looked into an
e-mail allegation from a Vermont man claiming
inappropriate touching by the bishop-elect.
Both claims surfaced after the House of Deputies
approved the election of Robinson on Aug. 3.
After Robinson and the Standing Commit
tee of the Diocese of New Hampshire requested
an inquiry, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold
appointed Bishop Gordon P. Scruton of Western
Massachusetts to investigate the charges. He
later concluded that “there is no necessity to
pursue further investigation and no reason on
these grounds to prevent the bishops with juris
diction from going forward with their voting
about whether or not to consent to Canon
Robinson’s consecration.”
The confirmation process, reported widely as
having the potential to prompt a schism in the
Anglican community, underscored Robinson’s
support in the national Episcopal community
and an outspoken desire for unity in the church.
“1 am excited and thrilled at the action of the
House of Bishops,” says the Rev. Susan Russell,
executive director of Claiming the Blessing, a
H allelujah !
hell o f a long time to do that,”
he says. “The problem is not
going away.”
However, Mason doesn’t
Episcopal Church confirms first openly gay bishop
predict this controversy will lead
to schism. He remembers identi
by Jim R ad o sta
cal threats were made after
women were given more powers
in the denomination.
Against
Defama
partnership of leading Episcopal queer organiza
"There was the same ‘Oh,
tions. “As difficult as these last couple of days
tion central re
you’ve ruined my church’ kind
have been, 1 am gratified to be part of a church
gional media man
of thing,” says Mason, a social
that is willing to work together through hard
ager,
followed
worker at Arleta Elementary
news coverage of
times. This is a prophetic step forward taken by
School. “ It turns out that after
the Episcopal Church on behalf of G LB T peo Robinson’s elec
that— all the protesters— only
tion, most of it
ple and the Gospel.”
one-third
of 1 percent actually
focusing on divi
Russell adds, “1 believed all along that Gene
left the church because of that
sion within the
was an extraordinanly good choice to be the next
resolution."
bishop of New Hampshire and feel that the Gen church rather than
Mason says he has met
its commitment to
eral Convention has now said ‘amen’ to what the
Robinson, who he calls “a great
unity and respect
Holy Spirit said to the people of New Hampshire.”
guy.” He notes that Robinson
Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the Epis ful debate. “A l
served as a pnest in New Hamp
though . there has
copal Church, says his church has a “diverse
shire for 28 years without incident.
been some sensa The Rev. V. Gene Robinson was cleared
center,” a vast body of clergy and laity who hold
“There’s just some glow
differing opinions but want to stay together. “1 tionalized report of 1 lth-hour allegations of sexual
around this guy when you’re in
ing of a potential misconduct prior to the vote Aug. 5
have deep confidence in the power of the Spirit
his company,” he said. “He’s
to do amazing things and hold us with all our schism and unrest
such a gentle, loving man.”
diversities in union with one another.”
in the church, we are seeing the denomination
Although frustrated about the situation,
come to resolution despite differences of opin
The Rev. Steven Baines, People for the
Mason says the vote at least gave gay Episctv
ion,” he said.
American Way religious organizer, agrees. He
palians a moment of relief. “We’re not trying to
O n the other hand, Portlander Bruce
notes that, as with the debate concerning the
take over their churches. We just want to be
Mason sees little cause tor celebration amid the
participation of women lti the church 27 years
acknowledged for who we are in our own church
church’s ongoing animosity. He was at the
ago, reports of schism and disharmony are being
es.
It’s ridiculous because everybody knows who’s
Minneapolis
convention
serving
in
his
role
as
overreported.
Western regional vice president for Integrity, a gay in a parish, and it’s not usually a big deal. But
“These are turning points for the church that
we just want to be legitimized." J H
nonprofit organization that has been pushing
open doors for social justice,” Baines says. “The
for the full inclusion of queers in the Episcopal
pillars and foundations of the church have not
For more information about INTEGRITY call
cnimbled with these votes, nor will they with
Church since 1974.
“The church decided that gays were fully 503-286-9111, e-mail brucepdxur@atthi.com or
this historic vote.”
included in the people of God— it took them a visit wvav .mtegrityusa . arg.
Timothy Rusch, Gay and Lesbian Alliance
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