The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, led more than 300 worshipers at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle, at a late afternoon service on Jan. 12, the feast of St. Aelred of Rievaulx. St. Aelred has been chosen as a patron saint by Integrity, one of the groups that sponsored Bishop Robinson’s visit.
 
In his sermon, Bishop Robinson pointed out that monks like St. Aelred are trained to avoid loving anyone or anything in particular. Instead, monk’s training is to love everything the same. On the other hand, Bishop Robinson said, “God loves each of us particularly and knocks at the door of our hearts.”
 
Later that evening, he spoke about issues of the church to a full house at Seattle’s Town Hall. Discussing marriage, he said there is currently confusion because ministers sign marriage licenses for the state. The state makes the marriage, even when performed by a minister, but the church blesses the marriage. Bishop Robinson said he wants “civil rights separated from church rites,” and encourages priests under his authority to separate civil and religious actions in the Diocese of New Hampshire.
 
The Rev. Pete Strimer, rector of St. Andrew’s Church, Seattle, asked Bishop Robinson if the 2009 General Convention is time for full inclusion. Bishop Robinson recommended that next July General Convention say:
  • "We will not leave the Anglican Communion, and we hope not to be thrown out of it.
  • "We need the church in the Third World to speak to us in the Episcopal Church.
  • "We will be the church that God has called us to be.
  • "We understand there are those who do not understand it.
  • "We will consecrate bishops in same-gender relations and write blessings for same-gender unions. "
 
Bishop Robinson was also asked about using scientific research to change opinions on GLBT rights. He said he was not comfortable with the “you are born that way” argument, and that the discussion should be about “why does it matter?”
 
Robert R. Chapman, Jr.
 
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