Reflections on the Election of the Rev. Gene Robinson as the First Openly Gay Bishop
Fr Kevin Moroney
10th August 2003
As most of you know, I was ordained in the Episcopal Church in the United States which, as most of you also are aware, has been in the News during the past week because of the proceedings at the General Convention. At this Convention the Rev. Gene Robinson was ratified as the next Bishop of New Hampshire, making him the first openly gay bishop that we know of in Church History.
This major event gives rise to a number of intersecting issues, so I thought that as a member of both the Episcopal Church and the Church of Ireland it might be helpful to work through some of these in order to help clarify what is happening and to help us think and talk about what is a difficult matter for some, a reason to rejoice for others, and a curious News item for most.
First, let me clarify what the Anglican Communion is – A Fellowship of autonomous National Churches which stem historically from the Church if England, in which Membership hinges on the notion of being “in communion” with the Archbishop of Canterbury; although this relationship has never been very clearly defined. Each National Church has legislative autonomy and neither the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church of England, nor any collection of National Churches can dictate how any other National Church should legislate for itself.
This organisational pattern differs greatly from that of the Roman Catholic Church; which is governed centrally from the Vatican, and the Congregationalists, where policies are decided at the local level. Instead we have a self-determining National structure within an International fellowship; and so far as I am aware only the Archbishop of Canterbury can decide who is “in” and who “out”.
Secondly, let me briefly address American life in general and the role of the Episcopal Church in it. There was a time when the Episcopal Church was known as ‘The Republican Party at prayer’ – very conservative and reluctant to become embroiled in controversy. A relationship similar to that which was once regarded as existing between the Church of England and the Conservative Party there.
However, after the Second World War the first of three successive Civil Rights movements began in the United States when Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to segregate schools and universities on the basis of Race. Beginning with this movement for Civil Rights for black people, members of the Episcopal Church rapidly became involved in social action and among the Churches was often the first to speak out on Civil Rights issues. This was a radical departure for a Church which until then had embraced conventional conservatism and this involvement has shaped the Episcopal Church ever since. So the Episcopal Church today includes both its traditional membership and a more liberal activist wing.
I said that there were three Civil Rights movements that came in rapid succession. After racial rights came women’s rights in the 60s and 70s. The Episcopal Church was one of the first to ordain women, and we elected the first woman Bishop in 1988. After women’s rights, gay rights emerged as a national issue in the early 80s and has dominated debate in the Episcopal Church ever since.
This brings us to the events of last week and the election of Gene Robinson as Bishop. From what I have said about the social changes in the US and the Episcopal Church, it is obvious that for many people this election is a courageous step in that a Christian whose only difference from the majority is his sexual orientation, is now free to be open without fear of that one difference jeopardising his vocational life. The goal of the Gay Rights movement within the Episcopal Church is called “full inclusion,” and the appointment of Gene Robinson is a huge step towards the goal of full inclusion of gays within the Episcopal Church. Gay people want to be treated like anyone else, which means having their relationships affirmed and playing an equal part in society and any organisation.
However, the election of Rev. Robinson as a Bishop has resulted in a stand-off between the traditionalists and those seeking full inclusion. American society, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion are all deeply divided on this issue. Opponents of Rev. Robinson’s election point out that this is a radical departure from traditional church teaching – which it is – and they claim that what they see as the “clear teaching of scripture” will not allow such action. They fear the break-up of the Episcopal Church and of the Anglican Communion and I am sure that Rowan Williams is not sleeping well in Canterbury these days. We seem to have a situation where the liberals are rejoicing and the conservatives are threatening a split, and the biggest difficulty is that there does not seem to be any middle ground on which to meet.
The changes needed to resolve the problem are not going to happen throughout the Church or society quickly or easily. Real change takes time, and radical change, if it is acknowledged as being needed, requires prayer, careful discussion, and experimentation to find the right balance and keep as many people in the fold as possible.
Sometimes the Church has erred on social issues, but the unity of the Church is something we should all care deeply about, it is something I am always ready to work for, and patience is a price I am usually prepared to pay. One way of understanding the crisis is that the liberal wing has run out of patience and the conservative wing feels it has compromised enough.
Yet for
me there is another option – instead of regarding this as a situation
in which one side “won” and the other “lost,” perhaps
it can be considered as what I call ‘An Honest Moment’ in
the life of the Church. Gay people feel more comfortable being open
which is simply honest. The liberal wing of the church has long accepted
gay people and that is also honest.
The conservative wing has been tolerant as long as gay people were either celibate
or stayed in the closet. The fact that this is changing has angered the conservatives,
and this too is honest.
Personally I prefer things to be up front and on the table and I believe that regarding this issue they are really on the table for the first time.
There is no time in the context of this sermon to work through the intricacies of scripture, but I assure you that both sides have plenty of scripture to quote and there are differing opinions regarding the interpretation of certain key texts.
It is also impossible to foretell how this debate will impact the church or society, but I would repeat that I believe that one positive outcome is that we are now being more honest than we were before.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has convened a meeting of Bishops in October to discuss the ramifications, but apart from that we will have to wait and see what happens.
One thing I can say is that the election of Gene Robinson does not affect my day to day life at all. All Christian people are welcome here at St. John’s, and I assure you that Gene Robinson is not the first nor will he be the last controversial bishop appointed.
The balance I have tried to achieve in this sermon is to emphasise that this is an important and defining moment with an unknown outcome, but also it is God’s church, and the God who has sustained before will sustain us now. We have survived difficult moments for 2000 years and we have usually emerged the better for having gone through the time of trial. After all, the Gospel teaches us that in order to get to Easter Sunday we have to live through all that led up to it – Maundy Thursday and then Good Friday. But in the Christian faith, the final word is always Easter and Resurrection and Life. Thanks be to God!