Chicago's new Episcopal bishop, national leader speak up for gay clergy

[Daniel]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,1881086.story

Chicago's new Episcopal bishop, national leader speak up for gay clergy


Church's national leader, city's Bishop Jeffrey Lee show their support for the role of gay clergy

By Manya A. Brachear | Tribune reporter
February 4, 2008

Chicago's new Episcopal bishop and the church's national leader sent a clear message Sunday about where they stand on gay clergy, a smoldering issue that threatens to tear apart the denomination.

Wrapping up a five-day tour in honor of Jeffrey Lee, the new Chicago bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori declared that the American church will not stand alone in its support of gay clergy during an international meeting in July in Lambeth, England.

"Many more [bishops] than you might expect are sympathetic," Jefferts Schori, the presiding Episcopal bishop, told parishioners at St. Nicholas Church in Elk Grove Village. "They are not, however, the loudest voices."

Later in Chicago, Lee was seated at St. James Cathedral and reminded audience members of their call to ministry by virtue of their baptism, not their liberal or conservative interpretations of Scripture.

"That's one of the tragedies afflicting the church right now," he said. "So many of us seem to think that salvation depends on our theological correctness."

Lee's election capped a race that drew worldwide attention as the latest potential flash point since the 2003 consecration of V. Gene Robinson, the church's first openly gay bishop. Conservatives believe homosexuality violates Scripture. Liberals support gay-clergy rights.

Of the eight nominees in Chicago, one was a lesbian in a committed relationship. Lee, who is not gay but supports full inclusion, quickly emerged as the overwhelming choice.

His election made him one of 10 new bishops to take over a diocese this season. All are said to represent a new generation of leadership in the church that cares less about imposing a certain brand of theology on their flocks and more about finding consensus and common ground to serve the poor, heal the sick and evangelize.

Jefferts Schori said the new bishops buck the top-down structure that has governed the Episcopal Church for nearly 500 years.

But it's a shift in the right direction, she said.

"It's a sign of great health of all the members of the church," she said.

Lee said that regardless of where bishops fall on the theological spectrum, conversations during a meeting of new American bishops last month focused on building bridges rather than defending positions.

"I was struck by how much listening there was," Lee said. "That's becoming truer and truer of bishops in the Episcopal Church. In general, I hope that's a trend."

Lee will represent Chicago in England this summer. Robinson has not been invited.

But Jefferts Schori's comment regarding bishops' support reassured Rev. Stephen Martz, the vicar of St. Nicholas, where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families are welcome to worship.

"It seemed to be an authentic remark," Martz said. "I hope it's true."

It also reassured Rev. Alex Seabrook, 82, who was ordained in 1954 and attended the service at St. Nicholas to watch the presiding bishop baptize twins.

"I've seen the church of the past," he said. "The whole service today was the church of the future."

Here's to the church of the future!

[antonyh]

Originally Posted by Daniel

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,1881086.story



Here's to the church of the future!

Great quote in bold. I love the Episcopalians Thanks for posting this.

[Daniel]

Anthony- Re Anglicans. You may remember the fracas a while ago regarding the appointment of a openly gay priest as Bishop in Britain. Well...one Bishop- who opposed the appointment at the time has seen the light.

Bishop of Liverpool apologises for opposing gay cleric


Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent
Tuesday February 5, 2008
The Guardian

One of the country's most senior bishops has argued that the Bible sanctions same-sex relationships, using the bonds between Jesus and John the disciple, and David and Jonathan as examples.

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Rev James Jones, a conservative evangelical, expressed the views in a book, A Fallible Church, in which he apologised for objecting to the appointment of the gay cleric Dr Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading. He was one of nine bishops to sign a public letter criticising the proposed consecration.

The bishop also apologised for his conduct and its effect on John, who eventually withdrew his acceptance of the post after bowing to pressure.
Jones said: "I deeply regret this episode in our common life. I still believe it was unwise to try to take us to a place that evidently did not command the broad support of the Church of England but I am sorry for the way I opposed it and I am sorry too for adding to the pain and distress of Dr John and his partner."

He called for Anglicans to "acknowledge the authoritative biblical examples of love between two people of the same gender most notably in the relationship of Jesus and his beloved [John] and David and Jonathan".

Going public with an apology? That takes guts and a heck of a lot of humility.

Way to go Right Rev. James Jones!

[BenL]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Anthony- Re Anglicans. You may remember the fracas a while ago regarding the appointment of a openly gay priest as Bishop in Britain. Well...one Bishop- who opposed the appointment at the time has seen the light.

Going public with an apology? That takes guts and a heck of a lot of humility.

Way to go Right Rev. James Jones!

Thanks for posting this. It tells me that Evangelicals can remain faithful to the Gospel and still accept that love between people of the same gender can be sanctified. There is hope. You're right, Daniel, this took a lot of guts. I hope the GLBT community in the Church of England lets Bishop Jones know how much we all appreciate his change of heart.

[loug]

Wonderful