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The Anglican Church (or Episcopalian in the US) has been having some momentous times lately. Timmy is putting some information about it on his website. So I thought I'd add this commentary from the recent consecration of the first openly gay Bishop in the world...in New Hampshire, USA.
This courageous act was made despite huge opposition, loads of it ccoming from Asia and Africa, where churches are much more conservative about these things. They have threatened to split off and form a separate Church denomination, and will almost certainly do that. The next fights will be about how the Church money and property will be divided between the two groups...
Anyhow, here's the commentary as I received it from my e-group:
Monday, November 3, 2003
Consecration of New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson
Following is a commentary from Matt Foreman, National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force Executive Director, regarding the consecration of V. Gene
Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire:
Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege of attending V. Gene
Robinson's consecration as Bishop of New Hampshire. I knew this was a
historic day. But I had no idea how awe-inspiring and hope-restoring
it would be.
For several months, I've been despairing about what our national
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community will be facing over
the next year. It's already clear that our lives and relationships
will be brutally distorted and demonized by the religious and
political right - fodder in the 2004 elections. With Leviticus and
St. Paul being used as cynical clubs, we will be made the Willie
Hortons of this political season. Our opponents' skillful
exploitation of the Supreme Court's Lawrence decision and so many
other pro-gay things that happened over the summer has driven down
public support for our equal rights for the first time in years. And,
it's not like we can count on "good friends" in office - we've seen
them turn tail and run so many times rather than stand up for us.
Yesterday, however, gave me great hope. There, 4,000 guests -
congregants, really - came not just to witness but to wholeheartedly
endorse what is to many abject heresy: the consecration of an openly
gay man as a bishop of the church. (The consecration of a bishop in
the Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches is huge because of the
importance both place on "apostolic succession" - tracing the lineage
of their bishops directly back to St. Peter.)
I don't know what I expected, but I was overwhelmed to see the make-
up of the crowd. Yes, some gay folk. But, overwhelmingly, the faces
reflected straight, Episcopal New Hampshire. Hundreds of older
married couples and hundreds of younger couples with their children.
High school students. The combined choirs of a dozen churches. Flocks
of UNH students guiding people to their seats. While the look and
dress was definitely flinty-New Englander, the air was charged with
electricity.
The high church processional (over the covered ice of the hockey
arena) was led by representatives of all the parishes in the diocese
carrying their congregation's banner. They were followed by priests -
yes, a few with rainbow stoles - of every age and race. (Then came a
young priest with a smoking gold incense censor on a chain swinging
it in high circle-eights - moves that would leave even the most
accomplished circuit party flagger astonished.) Last came more than
40 bishops in scarlet robes, ending with the Presiding Bishop of the
American church and other senior bishops in flowing vestments.
People who objected to the consecration were allowed to speak,
including one priest from Pittsburgh who embarrassed himself by
talking about oral and anal sex and even rimming. Each was politely
thanked for their comments. When they and about 50 of their followers
then walked out of the arena, however, it was as if they were never
even there because their seats were quickly occupied by others.
At the moment of consecration - the "laying of hands" - an act
repeated for 2,000 years - all the bishops gathered around Gene and
extended their arms toward him. With the threat of worldwide schism
hanging over their heads, it was an act of unbelievable courage.
As if there was something to prove - because indeed there was - the
audience sang hymns heartily and responded with affirming shouts when
asked if they wanted Gene to become their bishop. After he was robed
by his family - including his partner and ex-wife - and formally
presented to the diocese, wave after wave of applause thundered for
long minutes. This was not about doing the "right thing" through
gritted teeth; it was a joyous celebration.
Without a doubt, there has never been such a display of overwhelming
heterosexual acceptance, affirmation, commitment and love not just
for a gay man, but for our entire community, our hopes, and our
dreams.
To the people of the Diocese of New Hampshire and the Episcopal
Church of the United States - thank you.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
NGLTF Communications Department
media@ngltf.org
323-857-8751
"Always forgive your enemies...nothing annoys them quite so much." Oscar Wilde
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