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   GAY BISHOP!?

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Topic: GAY BISHOP!? (Read 1995 times)

david
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GAY BISHOP!?
« on: Aug 3^rd, 2003, 8:56pm »

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MINNEAPOLIS - A New Hampshire clergyman moved a step closer Sunday to becoming the first openly gay elected bishop in the Episcopal Church, winning one of two final votes required to be confirmed.

AP Photo

The House of Deputies, a legislative body composed of clergy and lay people, voted to approve the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire. He faces a final vote Monday in the House of Bishops.

The House of Deputies voted by delegation, with 128 delegations voting yes and 63 voting no. The votes of 25 delegations were not counted because their members were divided.

The American Anglican Council, which represents conservative bishops and parishes, said it was "deeply grieved" by the results.

"It is a tragic decision that leads the Episcopal Church to the brink of shattering the Anglican Communion," the council said in a statement. Episcopalians form the U.S. branch of the 77-million-member communion.

Robinson, a 56-year-old divorced father of two, has lived with his partner, Mark Andrew, for 13 years. If he is confirmed at this week's Episcopal General Convention, it will have an impact far beyond his diocese.

Bishops who believe gay sex is a sin contend that allowing him to serve is a tacit endorsement of ordaining homosexuals. These conservatives said it would force them to consider leaving the church, weakening the denomination and sparking a bitter fight over parish property and funds.

Like-minded bishops in the Anglican Communion have said they, too, would consider severing ties with the American church over Robinson.

But liberals said the threat has been exaggerated, and note that many conservatives had pledged to break ties before over issues such as ordaining women but did not follow through.

Robinson was elected by his diocese in June, but the church requires that a majority of convention delegates ratify his election. It is rare for the General Convention to reject a diocese's choice of bishop.

The vote by the House of Deputies, representing dioceses nationwide, came after about an hour of emotional but polite debate.

Bonnie Anderson, a parishioner from the Diocese of Michigan, said deputies should not be swayed by warnings about a potential split in the church.

"You may be afraid afraid of schism and afraid it will hurt your church budget. Don't be afraid," she said. "The power behind you and within you is far greater than the resistance before you."

George Marshall, a parishioner from the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., said confirming Robinson would send a damaging message that Episcopalians are guided by shifting cultural attitudes, not by Scripture.

"It will prove once again that our church doesn't have the confidence to proclaim the Gospel," Marshall said. "Do not do this thing."

A chaplain led the deputies in prayer before their vote. The president of the legislative body had asked them to remain quiet when the results were announced and they complied.

Robinson has served as assistant to the retiring New Hampshire bishop. He has repeatedly rejected calls from opponents to withdraw his candidacy to prevent a breakup of the church, as a gay clergyman in England did recently.

A final vote in favor of Robinson could build momentum for approving blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples, Episcopalians on both sides of the issue say. A decision on the proposed ceremony is expected later in the meeting, which runs through Friday.

I wonder when I read this perhaps someone more knowledgable can help me with. If they take a vow of Chasity how can he be GAY? and second with this vow why would it matter?

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MzWings
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #1 on: Aug 4^th, 2003, 5:43pm »

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I can't answer your questions David. But late this afternoon, accusations were made against him. An email was sent in stating that sexual harassment was hurled at him by this priest.

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Pocket
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #2 on: Aug 4^th, 2003, 6:53pm »

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I thought Episcopalian priests could marry.....am I wrong? I wonder at the timing of the email they received. Could be it's a false accusation by someone who doesn't want a gay priest as a bishop.

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Rhune
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #3 on: Aug 4^th, 2003, 8:50pm »

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Yeah, while there is always the possibility he did harass someone, I find it far more likely that this is someone attempting to discredit him so he isn't confirmed, especially considering the timing of it all...

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david
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #4 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 12:21am »

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ok I thought Bishops were CAtholic so i assmed (WRONG) he had to take vow of chasity

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rcs_mum
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #5 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 11:11am »

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The Catholic priests and Bishops all took the vow of chastity and look at their track record Roll Eyes

And is anyone surprised that this charge has been made just before he was to be voted in?
His reputation is now ruined forever, but isn't this the result that the anti gay Bishop contingency wanted? :sneaky:

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david
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #6 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 11:25am »

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You are probably right on the mark!

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rcs_mum
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #7 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 2:43pm »

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All charges against Bishop-elect Robinson were dropped today, after they were proved false. In the true spirit of " Love thy neighbor as thyself" the conservative faction of this " christian" organization will organize a walkout or picket against Robinson if elected.

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Rhune
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #8 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 2:53pm »

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on Aug 5^th, 2003, 2:43pm, rcs_mum wrote:

All charges against Bishop-elect Robinson were dropped today, after they were proved false.

The man was put up for this position because he is qualified for it. Shame, SHAME, on people making up lies just to discredit him. I think some people who call themselves Christians could use a refresher course in what it means to be a Christian, and the teachings of the religion.

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Rhune
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #9 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 3:03pm »

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Vote expected on gay Episcopal bishop nominee
Church leaders opposing his nomination vow walkout
Tuesday, August 5, 2003 Posted: 3:55 PM EDT (1955 GMT)

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) -- The Episcopal Church will vote Tuesday afternoon on whether to approve the Rev. Gene Robinson as the church's first openly gay bishop. The vote was rescheduled after an investigation into two allegations against Robinson was completed, the church's presiding bishop said.

Church officials said the impending vote is a sign that the one-day investigation cleared Robinson.

Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said the bishop who oversaw the investigation, Gordon Scruton, will make an announcement about the investigation at 2:30 p.m. [3:30 p.m. EDT], and a vote on whether to approve Robinson as bishop of the New Hampshire diocese will follow.

However, Episcopal Church leaders opposing Robinson's ratification said Tuesday that they will walk out of the church's convention in Minneapolis if he wins the final vote this afternoon.

They will go across the street to a Lutheran church for a prayer service and will speak with reporters there, they said.

The convention is scheduled to end Friday.

The investigation into two allegations involving Robinson ended Tuesday, the day after it began, two sources close to the investigation said.

Monday's scheduled vote was postponed after Robinson was accused of inappropriately touching a man at a convocation and an activist opposed to Robinson's candidacy told bishops that an organization Robinson was connected to offered a link on its Web site that could lead to erotica.

A spokesman for Robinson said that the clergyman had no recollection of meeting David Lewis of Vermont, the man who accused him of inappropriate contact, though Robinson did remember the crowded event that Lewis described.

Lewis, an Episcopal lay leader member of a Vermont diocese for about 10 years, sent an e-mail to his bishop Sunday accusing Robinson of inappropriate behavior.

Robinson had no relationship to or knowledge of the Web site, the spokesman said.

Organizers of outright.org also said Robinson had no connection to the site, and that potentially objectionable links have been removed.

Both allegations were made less than 24 hours before the scheduled vote by bishops on whether Robinson should become the next bishop of New Hampshire. (Full story)

Robinson had won the support of other church members in two other votes held at the Episcopalian annual General Convention being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Should the bishops vote in Robinson's favor, a date would be set for his consecration.

Opponents of Robinson's appointment warned the that appointment of an openly gay man could split the church. His supporters say the allegations were made to derail his appointment. (Full story)

E-mail accusation
Lewis, of Manchester, said in an e-mail to Bishop Thomas Ely of the Vermont diocese that Robinson "does not maintain appropriate boundaries with men."

"When I first encountered Gene at a ... convocation a couple of years ago, he put his hands on me inappropriately every time I engaged him in conversation. NO GAY MAN HAS EVER BEHAVED TOWARDS ME THIS WAY" [capitals in original].

Lou Midura, senior warden at Zion Episcopal Church in Manchester, said Tuesday that Lewis' e-mail was intended to be private.

"He never expected this to become a matter for the secular press," Midura said. "It was meant to be an internal message to the powers that be. ... It got very beyond where he expected."

He described Lewis, a married father of two, as "an articulate, intelligent man full of integrity who loves his community."

Gail Albright, the church's choir director, said Lewis serves as a eucharistic minister and has been involved in the church for at least nine years.

Neither commented on Lewis' allegation that Robinson inappropriately touched him several years ago at a church convocation, but Midura said the topic of homosexuality has gotten little discussion in the parish.

Web site attacks allegation
Meanwhile, the organization at the center of the other accusation against Robinson -- that he was involved with a Web site providing access to erotic material -- denied the bishop-elect was connected to the site.

Outright in Portland, Maine, said its Web site provided Web hosting services to other gay and lesbian sites and that Robinson had no role in the group.

A spokesman for Robinson said he co-founded one chapter of Outright but was not aware of the outright.org Web site run by Outright in Portland.

In a statement, Outright said the allegation against Robinson is "an attempt to discredit" the bishop-elect.

"Many autonomous and loosely affiliated gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth groups throughout Northern New England have adopted the organizational name of 'Outright.' Outright in Portland is the first Outright organization, founded in 1987," the statement read.

"Outright in Portland provides Web-hosting services and links as a courtesy to other Outrights. The Web site was developed in February 2002.

"Bishop-elect Reverend Gene Robinson has not been involved, at any time, with our Outright organization in Portland or our Web site and its content. This is clearly an attempt to discredit his important nomination."

Outright in Portland added that it had not been aware -- until the allegation made against Robinson -- that erotic material could be accessed from one of the links it offers on its site and that it had now taken that link down.

Outright in Portland said the link was not in line with its mission "is to create safe, positive and affirming environments for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and questioning people ages 22 and under."

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MzWings
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #10 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 3:50pm »

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on Aug 5^th, 2003, 12:21am, david wrote:

ok I thought Bishops were CAtholic.

No David - you weren't "wrong" - just misinformed. Seems the longer I'm in cyberspace - the more I learn.

Did you know - that the "head man" in each Ward of the Mormon churches - is a "Bishop". And that the top man internationally is called "President". Yeah - how 'bout that?

:laff:

« Last Edit: Aug 5^th, 2003, 3:54pm by MzWings »

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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #11 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 7:21pm »

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Episcopal leaders approve gay bishop
Church officials opposing his nomination vow walkout
Tuesday, August 5, 2003 Posted: 8:08 PM EDT (0008 GMT)

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) -- The House of Bishops voted Tuesday evening to confirm the Rev. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire, making him the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church's history.

Robinson needed a simple majority of the 106 votes to be confirmed. He received 62.

A date will be set for his consecration.

The vote by the House of Bishops follows weeks of heated debate, several days of a contentious conference and a one-day investigation that cleared Robinson of wrongdoing related to two 11th-hour allegations. (More on allegations)

Some Episcopal leaders who have opposed ratifying Robinson since the New Hampshire diocese elected him in June said that if he won Tuesday's vote, they would walk out of the church's meeting in Minneapolis and go across the street to a Lutheran church for a prayer service.

Sunday, Robinson won a vote by the House of Deputies, made up of more than 800 priests and lay leaders.

The bishops' vote had been set for Monday but was postponed after David Lewis of Vermont accused Robinson of touching him inappropriately at a convocation and an activist opposed to Robinson's candidacy told bishops an organization Robinson was connected to offered a link on its Web site that could lead to erotica.

A spokesman for Robinson said he did not recall meeting Lewis, though he did remember the crowded event that Lewis described. He also said Robinson had no relationship to or knowledge of the Web site.

Organizers of the Web site -- outright.org -- also said Robinson had no connection to the site, and that potentially objectionable links were removed. Outright in Portland said the link was not in line with its mission "to create safe, positive and affirming environments for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and questioning people ages 22 and under."

The allegation, the group said, was "clearly an attempt to discredit this important nomination."

Lewis, in an e-mail sent Sunday night to Bishop Thomas Ely of the Vermont diocese, said Robinson "does not maintain appropriate boundaries with men."

"When I first encountered Gene at a ... convocation a couple of years ago, he put his hands on me inappropriately every time I engaged him in conversation. NO GAY MAN HAS EVER BEHAVED TOWARDS ME THIS WAY" (capitals in original).

Church investigators went to Manchester, Vermont, on Monday to speak to Lewis, church officials told CNN.

"Where there's smoke, there isn't always fire," Bishop Geralyn Wolf of Rhode Island said about the allegations. "There's a lot of smoke in our culture today, on all sides of all kinds of issues. And it doesn't mean that there's any fire there.

"The fire can be really the fire of evil, deception, and fear -- but the fires of truth and righteousness will prevail."

Bishop Mark Sisk of New York said, "I believe that in the end the people have confidence in and trust the results of the investigation. ... That person's reputation will not be adversely affected, unless of course they turned out to be guilty of what they were accused of."

Although Lewis would not speak to reporters, several people who know him described him as a man of integrity and deeply held faith.

Lou Midura, senior warden at Zion Episcopal Church, said he was speaking "as a personal friend of the Lewis family, not as an officer of the church" and read a statement calling Lewis "a man of strong faith and integrity, thoughtfulness and intelligence. I know him to be a devoted member of this parish, the church and the community at large.

"He is active in the ministries of Zion and as a lay minister, chalice bearer, teacher and occasional member of the choir."

Lewis, a husband and father of two, "would like everyone to know his statement was meant to be privately conveyed to the governing body of the Episcopal Church and was not to be debated in the secular press," Midura said.

Robinson had won the support of other church members in two other votes held at the Episcopalian annual General Convention being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Opponents of Robinson's appointment warned the that appointment of an openly gay man could split the 2.3-million-member U.S. church and distance it from the Worldwide Anglican Communion, which numbers 73 million members. His supporters say the allegations were made to derail his appointment.

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Pau
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #12 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 7:33pm »

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Ok.. Catholic and Episcopalian churches are different..

I am Catholic and I don't know if the rituals and beliefs of the Episcopal Church is same with the Catholic faith... but for Catholics, we are headed by the Pope, then we have archdiocese and dioceses led by Archbishops and Bishops, respectively. Then down to parishes led by parish priests and priests.

well... maybe the reason of the other episcopal bishops threats to walk out of their church is that putting a gay bishop would againsts their beliefs and would feel that the act would contradict everything that was taught to them by their sect.

but i feel sad for the shame campaign that Robinson was caught into... things that get political, even within the church is a favorite topic and story of the press... (the press sometimes go beyond bounds..)

just my opinion.. Grin

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Rhune
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #13 on: Aug 5^th, 2003, 10:18pm »

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on Aug 5^th, 2003, 7:33pm, pau_p1 wrote:

but i feel sad for the shame campaign that Robinson was caught into... things that get political, even within the church is a favorite topic and story of the press... (the press sometimes go beyond bounds..)

just my opinion.. Grin

An opinion that I for one fully agree with!
Cool

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rcs_mum
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Re: GAY BISHOP!?
« Reply #14 on: Aug 6^th, 2003, 9:00pm »

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He was elected to the office of Bishop of New Hampshire today......

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