Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has appointed three bishops to “consult” with the Archbishop of Canterbury about extending an invitation for Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire to attend the Lambeth Conference next summer in England.
The Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little II, Bishop of Northern Indiana, one of the three appointed by Bishop Jefferts Schori, confirmed the authenticity of the e-mail message which he said was sent to all members of the House of Bishops on Dec. 19.
“I’ve been asked to be part of a private conversation, and before that conversation even begins, I think it is best not to discuss details in the media,” Bishop Little said, adding that he personally remains committed to the Windsor Report and its recommendations.
The others who will consult with Archbishop Rowan Williams – the Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Ely, Bishop of Vermont, and the Rt. Rev. Bruce Caldwell, Bishop of Wyoming ‑ recently attended an organizational meeting of the Chicago Consultation at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. Part of the new group’s agenda includes ensuring there is a significant, visible presence of gay and lesbian Anglicans in England during the Lambeth Conference. The group has received a $60,000 grant in part to help with travel and expenses.
In her e-mail message, Bishop Jefferts Schori said the three bishops “hope to have a response to share with the House at our meeting in March.”
Steve Waring
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3 Comments
Brava, +KJS - You go, girl!!
How is this being funded and how arrogant for KJS to presume that her invitation will not be withdrawn since ECUSA is, by its own decision not to conform with the requirements of the communion, no longer a member of the anglican communion. As such all invitations to Bishops who took part in the consecration of Victoria Gene Robinson are it is understood due to be withdrawn by ++ Rowen, they are after all private invitations. I for one support my Diocesian in not being prepared to attend when ECUSA and AC Canada are represented. Both of these provinces are still excluded from representation at any of the organs of the Anglican Communion
Until Monday, I had only a very superficial familiarity with the issues surrounding Bishop Gene Robinson. My sources were occasional short news articles in local papers and on television news programs. On Monday night, however, C-SPAN rebroadcast, and I was able to watch, a talk originally delivered by Bishop Robinson on 11/27/2007 at the Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad Law Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
C-SPAN described the video recording as follows: "The Rev. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop elected to the episcopate, talked about the effect morality has on legal rights for sexual minorities. He also talked about his background, personal life and religion. He responded to questions from members of the audience. The talk "How Morality Plays a Role in Legal Rights, Especially for the Gay Community" was the concluding event of the law school's 2007 Goodwin Symposium on sexuality, morality and the law".
I found Bishop Robinson's presentation before these law professors and students, as well as his responses to critical questions from an informed audience, to be on point, coherent, well referenced, engaging, and persuasive. The video recording is available from C-SPAN. I highly recommend that individuals and groups, especially those concerned with how the church might best resolve sexual orientation issues, view this recording of Bishop Robinson's cogent arguments.
I pray that Presiding Bishop Schori's recent appointments of three bishops to consult with the Archbishop of Canterbury will result in an invitation being extended to Bishop Robinson to attend the Lambeth Conference next summer in England. I'm reminded that the resolution of most problems is facilitated by greater communication, not less. Also, the progress of our national constitution, through amendment, reflects a greater and greater inclusiveness to the benefit of all. Lastly, Reverend Martin Luther King is to have said "The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice".