Two Episcopal dioceses have nominated gay and lesbian priests in same-sex relationships to become bishops, testing a weeks-old policy and the Episcopal Church’s place within the global Anglican Communion.
The Diocese of Minnesota nominated three candidates for bishop on Saturday (Aug. 1), including the Rev. Bonnie Perry, a Chicago priest who has been in a same-gender relationship with another Episcopal priest for more than 20 years.
If Perry is elected on Oct. 31 at the Minnesota diocesan convention, she will become the second gay, partnered bishop in the Episcopal Church, which is the U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion.
On Sunday, the Diocese of Los Angeles nominated six Episcopalians, including two openly gay priests to be suffragan — or assisting –bishops: the Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool of Baltimore and the Rev. John Kirkley of San Francisco. The Los Angeles election is scheduled for December, when two bishops will be chosen from among the half-dozen nominees.
“I affirm each and every one of these candidates, and I am pleased with the wide diversity they offer this diocese,” Los Angeles Bishop J. Jon Bruno said in a statement.
The nominations come just weeks after the Episcopal Church lifted a de facto ban on openly gay bishops, despite warning that the move would threaten unity in the Anglican Communion, the world’s third-largest body of Christians. Many Anglicans view homosexuality as sinful and unbiblical.
The election of V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003 caused widespread dissent in the Anglican Communion. Numerous Anglicans and four U.S. dioceses have since broken ties with the Episcopal Church.
Last week, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, warned that the Episcopal Church is out of step with other Anglicans and may have to take a secondary role in the communion.
By Daniel Burke
Religion News Service
Copyright 2009 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted August 3, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Last week, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, warned that the Episcopal Church is out of step with other Anglicans and may have to take a secondary role in the communion.
Yes, the TEC has been “out of step with other Anglicans” for years. We have paid well over our share of the Global budget. We have focused more on individual souls than on doctrine.
Peace!
posted August 3, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Good for them! Souls are helped by allowing everyone equal opportunities in the church, as in secular life, there sould be equal opportunities for everyone.
posted August 4, 2009 at 12:28 pm
This article left out that the Los Angles Diocese is the largest in the U.S.
posted August 4, 2009 at 3:01 pm
This is all the more impressive because it seems it is the people who are making these nominations, not the denominational leaders. In that we propose to be a democratic nation (not the “D” sort, though it is that party in dominance at this point), of and for the people, this is a reflection of our particular culture. That the larger Episcopal Church does not embrace this is no surprise. Working that out will be a challenge. Simply denying these folks their chair in the chancel is only a small part of the issue. Dealing with a democratic ideal and culture of democracy as compared to a hierarchical model is more difficult.
posted August 4, 2009 at 5:59 pm
“The election of V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003 caused widespread dissent.”
Well of course it did the man is a bisexual who divorced his wife who gave birth to his children because he wanted to be with a man. Then the church saw fit to reward this behavior which is contrary to all biblical teaching with a bishop seat. And now they have purposely sat out to celebrate other homosexual and bisexual behaviors. It is the standard they wish to elevate but it is not biblical or Christian so when they say it is in Christ’s name that they do such a thing they lie.
posted August 4, 2009 at 10:29 pm
There is no need for continued distress. The Episcopal Non-Profit Social Club no longer represents God.
posted August 5, 2009 at 7:16 pm
No distress….They are doing the right thing…allowing equality in the church. Some could take lessons about that.
posted August 6, 2009 at 12:17 am
The whole point of church is that sin is not equal to right living. For many that is not lost pagan,
posted August 6, 2009 at 9:44 am
ck
Re-read the story of David. The guy broke 8 or 10 Commandments, all in one episode (Bathsheba) – and God honored the covenant and styed with him to the very end. God’s covenant is with all humanity, not only with the folks who agree with us and live by our standards. The word of the day – everyday – for Christians is not sin but grace. We all need it for any number of reasons. So I am not about to tell someone that they are so deficient that there is no hope of grace for them.
It’s not about us, it’s about God.
posted August 6, 2009 at 7:11 pm
jest, you danced all around the one thing that is repeated to those of us who have fell short as David did, key word is repent. Your message is a misdirect because you like to tickle ears and you don’t lead people to repentance. Sure David messed up and fell short but he also repented. Repent, Repent, Repent. Don’t be fooled by those who seek to leave out this important message that threads throughout the bible championed by John the Baptist and Jesus Repent. Look it up.
posted August 6, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Well said, jestrfyl, nicely said.
posted August 7, 2009 at 1:06 am
pagan as much as I like you I am always relieved when you agree with people I disagree with it’s reassuring.
posted August 8, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Wouldn’t want to disappoint, cknuck.
)
posted September 14, 2009 at 4:13 pm
To a certain degree the character, faithfulness, and indeed maturity of the church can be measured by the character, faithfulness, and maturity of the leadership it raises up. In this time of sad division and vituperative rancor in our culture, which too often is brought into and nourished in the church, it gives me great comfort and hope for the future of the Episcopal Church that someone as well qualified as the Rev. Glasspool is being considered for bishop suffragan of the Diocese of LA. Intelligence, compassion, spiritual depth, committed faith, depth of knowledge, a huge skill set in both administration and pastoral care, humility, leadership, wit, and passion; these are all qualities and gifts that the Rev. Glasspool has placed in service to Christ and the Episcopal Church literally all of her life (She’s a PK)! If the other candidates are as well qualified and gifted as is the Rev. Glasspool I can only contemplate with awe Christ’s blessing to the Diocese of LA in the choice to be made in this election.