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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2004)
THE CHURCH WELCOMES CELIBATE GAY PRIESTS, BUT IT FROWNS UPON SEXUALLY ACTIVE ONES. whether all opportunities such as church leadership or legal marriage are available to them, too. Robinson’s opinions and his election spotlight not only major changes within the constantly changing cultural fabric of America, but major changes within the U.S. Episcopal Church. Before the 1960s, Episcopalianism was considered conservative and close to Catholicism in its views on personal liber- ties. Since then, it’s often referred to as “trendier than thou” as it continually pro- vides greater personal freedoms in keeping with popular society. Over time, the church has eliminated restrictions against divorce, birth control, the ordaining of women and now openly gay church leaders, but not without struggle. It manages large decisions by balancing a “three legged stool” of tradi- tion, reason and scripture, and then votes on those decisions through a national demo- cratic process. The church’s mission: Make God relevant in an evolving modern society. To Rev. Bill Swan and Rev. Ralph Haynes, two recently retired local Episcopal priests with nearly 100 years of experience between them, the national church seems out of control. They struggled with the ordaining of women priests in the 1970s, but to them the Robinson decision is proof that the church is now too liberal. Swan likes to quote C.S. Lewis: “He who marries the cur- rent of the age will soon be a widower.” Swan, 76, with a white moustache, strong handshake and mouth that turns down at the corners, recently came up with a way to address his grievances: He formed his own church. Swan incorporated the new Fellowship of the Living Word in the summer and then signed Haynes on as the assistant preacher. Swan advertised the church in the Register- Guard with an upside-down Episcopal shield — the national symbol for Episcopalians — on Aug. 8, two days after Robinson’s election. The Fellowship of the Living Word’s “parish” is the gymnasium at Agate Hall, part of the UO. The gym, with plaster peel- ing from coved ceilings, exposed fir timber boards and an oak piano tipped on its side, is the congregation’s temporary home until it gets a building of its own. The church is attracting people like Mark McCool, a former member of St. Matthews. McCool, in his 30s with a round face and salt-and-pepper goatee, shakes his head at the topic of Robinson. He doesn’t under- stand how a gay bishop can counsel him in marriage, among other areas. On a recent spring Sunday, Swan greets 11 parishioners as they gather for a class after the service. Swan looks down at every- one, grasps the lapel of his black jacket with his right hand and starts to pace. “The U.S. Episcopal Church’s appoint- ment of a homosexual bishop shows that it’s no longer a Christian body. American reli- gion is now more about protecting personal Texas antisodomy laws and there was an freedoms than following the will of God,” eruption of city-sponsored civil unions and he says in a subtle, native Tennessee drawl. marriages. The group of mostly 50- to 60-year-old The changes have created earthquakes white men is silent. Eventually, one by one, across religious, legal and civic landscapes. heads start to nod. An older man with dyed Rumbles across the church’s rigid patriar- black hair and a thinly shaved moustache chal system have been particularly power- sitting in the middle of the group leans for- ful, with no clear end in sight. ward. In the U.S., several top bishops are align- “It’s up to the youth of America to ing themselves with the American Anglican change things,” he says quietly. They’re the ones that will lead them — he implies the church, and the country — back toward God. Swan nods. Standing against Robinson and for a pure interpretation of scrip- ture is the congregation’s mission. Robinson says that churches like the Fellowship of the Living Word will appear, and he can’t stop that. He believes, however, that broad acceptance of gay men and lesbians is an emerging ethos. Things are moving quickly. In just the past year, Episcopal leaders decided to make Robinson a bishop; the Massachusetts Supreme Court decided to allow gay marriage; the U.S. Supreme R EV . N ANCY M UHLHEIM Court decided to strike down Taste of India Buffet Lunch Special $6.99 all you can eat. 7 days a week. Sunday Dinner Buffet Special $10.99 all you can eat (children’s prices vary). ✪ Voted Best Indian Restaurant -Eugene Weekly Readers 1998-2000 Free soft drinks, tea, coffee. (With lunch buffet) Catering available ◆ Full menu available to go 7 Days a week 11:oo-3:00 & 5:oo-10:oo 2495 Hilyard St., Eugene, OR 97405 ◆ ph & fax (541) 485-9698 ◆ ph 485-9560 http://tasteofindia.uswestdex.com MAY 20, 2004 9
