Gay clergyman cleared of charges

[jesus marion joseph]

Pretty weak allegation of sexual harassment here:

<<
Associated Press
Tuesday, August 5, 2003

MINNEAPOLIS - A clergyman seeking to become the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church was cleared Tuesday of the 11th-hour misconduct allegations that threatened his chances of being confirmed.


Bishop Gordon Scruton of Massachusetts, who conducted the investigation, said he determined that there was no need for a full-blown inquiry of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson.

Allegations surfaced Monday that Robinson had inappropriately touched a man and that he was connected to a group whose Web site can indirectly link users to pornography.

``In both allegations it is my conclusion that there is no necessity to pursue further investigation,'' Scruton said in a speech to bishops.

The ruling allowed bishops from around the country to proceed with their debate about whether Robinson should be New Hampshire's bishop. It is the final approval he needs to win the job.

The claim of inappropriate touching was e-mailed to Vermont Bishop Thomas Ely by David Lewis of Manchester, Vt. A family friend said Tuesday that Lewis never intended the allegations to go public.

In the e-mail, Lewis said Robinson ``does not maintain appropriate boundaries with men.'' He said he met Robinson at a church event and ``he put his hands on me inappropriately every time I engaged him in conversation,'' which Lewis termed ``sexual harassment.''

Scruton said he spoke with Lewis by phone Monday afternoon and Lewis told him that, at a public church event in November 1999, Robinson ``put his left hand on the individual's arm and his right hand on the individual's upper back'' as Robinson answered a question Lewis had asked.

Scruton said the other encounter occurred when Lewis turned to make a comment to Robinson and the clergyman ``touched the individual's forearm and back while responding with his own comment.''

Scruton said he asked Lewis if he wanted to proceed with a written complaint and he ``indicated he had no desire to pursue the matter any further.''

``He said he was thankful the church had taken this seriously and that he felt `listened to,''' Scruton said.

Separate concerns were raised about Robinson's connection to the Web site of Outright, a secular outreach program for gay and bisexual youth that Robinson helped found in Concord, N.H.

Scruton said he had investigated the Web link ``at the request of an American Anglican Council representative.'' The council, which represents conservative parishes and bishops, has been among the most outspoken opponents to Robinson's confirmation.

Scruton said Robinson ended his association with Outright in 1998 and ``was not aware that the organization has a Web site until this convention.''

The gathering was thrown into turmoil after several days of intense debate over whether Robinson's election would strengthen or shatter the church. Robinson, a 56-year-old divorced father of two, has been living with his male partner for 13 years.

Robinson's supporters had called the timing of the allegations suspicious. His opponents had acknowledged they helped bring forward the Web site claim against him.

Robinson was elected by his diocese in June, but the church requires that a majority of convention delegates ratify his election.

On Sunday, the House of Deputies, a legislative body comprised of clergy and lay people from dioceses nationwide, approved Robinson by a 2-to-1 margin; a committee endorsed him by secret ballot Friday.

The final vote he needs is in the House of Bishops.

The American Anglican Council, which represents conservative bishops and parishes, plans a meeting in October to decide whether to break away from the church or take some other action if Robinson is seated.

Like-minded bishops in the Anglican Communion, the 77-million-member global association that includes the Episcopal Church, said they, too, will consider severing ties with the denomination if Robinson wins.

Robinson has rejected calls from conservatives that he withdraw from consideration to prevent a breakup of the church, as a gay clergyman did recently in England.>>>

[Tanager]

I hope Robinson gets elected. I've had a female bishop, and the priest who married my sister and buried my mother is gay and in a committed relationship, and I don't see how that gets in the way of his ability to guide his flock. Assuming one buys into organized religion of a Judeo-Christian flavor (and I know most folks here don't, which is utterly cool by me), I think he's a fine priest and friend. As an Episcopalian (albeit not particularly actively practicing these days), I really hope Robinson gets elected (or if he doesn't, it's because he's not suited for reasons other than being gay).

BWTFDIK.

[Clay Fink]

put his left hand on the individual's arm and his right hand on the individual's upper back

Sounds like "let's fuck" to me....

[Sergio Zamora]

Originally posted by Clay Fink
Sounds like "let's fuck" to me....

If it ain't, I dunno what is.

[walto]

Well Tan says he's OK, and and since Tan's "had a female bishop" he's probably on top of all this stuff (if you know what I mean).

Hence the thumbs up. As far as I'm concerned the backrubs were innocent and the guy can start pontificating tomorrow.

:>}

[bluenoter]

He's been elected. From AP:

Episcopalians Elect 1st Openly Gay Bishop

By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer

MINNEAPOLIS - The Episcopal Church voted Tuesday to approve the election of its first openly gay bishop, a decision that risks splitting the denomination and shattering ties with its sister churches worldwide.

After a delay caused by allegations that he inappropriately touched another man and was affiliated with a Web site that indirectly linked users to porn, the Episcopal General Convention confirmed the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire.

Robinson had been cleared of the accusations a few hours before the vote was taken. The bishop who investigated said the touching incident "was in public view and was brief" and happened at a church meeting where Robinson put his hand on the man's back and arm while engaged in a conversation. It was also determined that Robinson had no involvement with the Web site.

"God has once again brought an Easter out of Good Friday," Robinson said after the results were announced.

He acknowledged that many in the church would be upset by the decision. Some convention delegates who opposed him left the meeting in tears.

"That is the only thing that makes this not a completely joyous day for me," Robinson said.

Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said the bishops voted 62-45 to confirm Robinson's election. Two bishops abstained from voting, but their ballots under church rules were counted as "no" votes.

American conservatives and like-minded overseas bishops who represent millions of parishioners have said confirming Robinson would force them to consider breaking away from the church.

The Episcopal Church, with 2.3 million members, is the U.S. branch of the 77 million-member global Anglican Communion.

After the results were announced, Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, a conservative who had campaigned against Robinson, stood at the podium in the House of Bishops, surrounded by fellow conservatives, and read a speech saying he and the others were "filled with sorrow."

He said the Episcopal Church has "divided itself from millions of Anglicans throughout the world."

"This body willfully confirming the election of a person sexually active outside of holy matrimony has departed from the historic faith and order of the Church of Jesus Christ," he said.

Duncan called on the bishops of the Anglican Communion and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, head of the communion, "to intervene in the pastoral emergency that has overtaken us."

"May God have mercy on his church," Duncan said. Eighteen other bishops signed his statement.

The American Anglican Council, which represents conservative Episcopalians, planned a meeting in October to decide their next move. The council said it would find a way to "stay in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury."

Williams issued a statement saying it was too soon to know what the impact of the vote would be on the church.

"It is my hope that the church in America and the rest of the Anglican Communion will have the opportunity to consider this development before significant and irrevocable decisions are made in response," he said.

The church has been debating the role of gays for decades. A win by Robinson was expected to build momentum for other policy changes that would be favorable to homosexuals.

Griswold said he voted for Robinson out of respect for the decision made by the Diocese of New Hampshire, not as an endorsement of homosexuality. It is rare for the General Convention to reject a diocese's choice of bishop.

The denomination has no official rules — either for or against — ordaining gays.

Some Episcopal parishes already allow homosexual clergy to serve and gays who did not reveal their sexual orientation have served as bishops. But Robinson is the first clergyman in the Anglican Communion to live openly as a gay man before he was elected.

In 1998, Anglican leaders approved a resolution calling gay sex "incompatible with Scripture." Bishops who hold that view believe that allowing Robinson to serve would be a tacit endorsement of ordaining homosexuals.

Robinson, a 56-year-old divorced father of two, has been living with his male partner for 13 years and serving as an assistant to the current New Hampshire bishop, who is retiring. Parishioners there said they chose Robinson simply because he was the best candidate.

Under church rules, a majority of convention delegates had to ratify Robinson's election.

On Sunday, the House of Deputies, a legislative body comprised of clergy and lay people from dioceses nationwide, approved Robinson by a 2-to-1 margin; a committee endorsed him by secret ballot Friday. The House of Bishops vote was the final approval he needed.

Robinson will be consecrated in the New Hampshire Diocese in November.

Bishop Gordon Scruton of Western Massachusetts, who investigated the allegations against Robinson, determined Tuesday that there was no need for a full-blown inquiry, allowing the vote on Robinson to proceed.

The claim of inappropriate touching was e-mailed to Vermont Bishop Thomas Ely and other bishops by David Lewis of Manchester, Vt. A family friend said Tuesday that Lewis never intended the allegations to go public. Scruton said Lewis told him he did not want to file a formal complaint.

The other concern was a pornographic link found on a Web site of Outright, a secular outreach program for gay and bisexual youth. Robinson helped found the Concord, N.H., chapter of the group, but Scruton said the clergyman ended his association with the organization in 1998 and "was not aware that the organization has a Web site until this convention."

If conservatives do decide to break away, it is unclear what that would mean for the Episcopal Church. Some parishes could split from their dioceses and refuse to recognize clergy who support homosexuality, but stop short of a complete separation.

A full schism would trigger, among other things, bitter fights over parish assets and undercut the global influence of the U.S. church.

Liberals note that among the bishops threatening to leave are some who pledged to walk away before over issues such as ordaining women — then did not follow through.

But many Episcopalians believe the debate over homosexuality has been more divisive.

Bishops from Africa, Asia and Latin America, representing more than a third of Anglican Communion members worldwide, took the unprecedented step this year of severing relations with a diocese that authorizes same-sex blessings — the Diocese of New Westminster, based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Some conservative American parishes had already formed breakaway movements, such as the Anglican Mission in America, which remains within the Anglican Communion but rejects the Episcopal Church.

[Dr Dave]

Well, the timing of the accusations was, um, questionable. I don't have a spiritual leader, but if I did, I wouldn't care about his sexual preferences, only about whether he could deliver.

Well, the timing of the accusations was, um, questionable.

I couldn't agree more, Finch. Seemed a wee bit opportunistic for my tastes. Then to find out it was all about the guy putting his hand on the 'victims' back and arm? What clergyman doesn't do something like that?

Rediculous.

[Ron Thorne]

Exellent news, even to an agnostic who's married to a PK!

[Tanager]

Originally posted by Scott Dolan
I couldn't agree more, Finch. Seemed a wee bit opportunistic for my tastes. Then to find out it was all about the guy putting his hand on the 'victims' back and arm? What clergyman doesn't do something like that?

Rediculous.

Apparently, the last minute email also labelled Robinson a "skirt-chaser" - which sorta seems to me to be an interesting accusation for a supposedly openly gay man. I agree, the accusations were curious at best in their timing, and I'm glad that the investigating bishop decided that the charges did not merit further investigation.

Walt, you smartass, don't make me come up there and smack you around with a hymnal.

[Clay Fink]

Originally posted by Tanager
the priest who married my sister ... is gay

Wow, your sister married a gay priest. Cool!!!

[Tanager]

Originally posted by Clay Fink
Wow, your sister married a gay priest. Cool!!!

Well, actually, I guess it's probably not a valid marriage, since neither's divorce was final. The worst thing about the ceremony was his ex-boyfriend sobbing about what a hussy he was from the back of the pews.

[jesus marion joseph]

Originally posted by Tanager
The worst thing about the ceremony was his ex-boyfriend sobbing about what a hussy he was from the back of the pews.

Truly pathetic.......

[Sergio Zamora]

Originally posted by Tanager
Apparently, the last minute email also labelled Robinson a "skirt-chaser" - which sorta seems to me to be an interesting accusation for a supposedly openly gay man.

So he likes Scots. What's wrong with that?

[Dr Dave]

Somebody asked me today about what it was like living in the South End, what with all the queers and blacks. To which I responded, one next door neighbor is black and queer, the other is just black. I've never really thought about it before.

[jesus marion joseph]

Originally posted by Dr Dave
Somebody asked me today about what it was like living in the South End, what with all the queers and blacks. To which I responded, one next door neighbor is black and queer, the other is just black. I've never really thought about it before.

Dr. Dave: not your ordinary Oreo cookie.

[Captain Hate]

What a lot of people are missing in this entire story is the schism which has taken place in the Episcopal church (which, like Tanager, I was confirmed in but haven't returned to since my oldest Hatette was baptized there). In the US and Europe, the church is losing members continually; this is for a variety of reasons. I'm sure Tanager has his specific reasons as do I, which aren't important for this discussion.

The areas where growth is occuring is in Asia and Africa; in which it is competing with Islam. In that arena, embracing gay rights doesn't work in your favor. So you have a quandry in the church as a whole: The old established church versus the new growth. And the old school members have been willfully dismissive of the problems faced in Africa and Asia; in meetings in previous years they were truly insulting in their behavior toward the African and Asian bishops. So much for multiculturism. It can't be overlooked that such attitudes, while suppressing the growth of the church, ensure that the US and European officials remain in the majority and still get to call the shots.

This has been almost totally ignored by those dim wads in the media, but I think its an important topic to discuss. My own opinion is that this will not arrest the decline in church membership. In any case it doesn't really bother me one way or another. I always found that Henry VIII's unquenchable lust was as good a basis as any to form a church. It also makes it easy to leave.

[GoodSpeak]

OK.

Now what I want to know is does he listen to Jazz...?

[Tanager]

I did grow up in the Episcopal Church, and I was schooled by it as well, at St. Albans in Washington D.C., which began in large part as a school for the choirboys of the National Cathedral, on whose campus St. Albans sits. So the Church was an integral part of my daily life for a very long time.

I wouldn't say that I've "left" the Church in any active sense, although I don't attend services much anymore - but maybe those are the same thing.

One of the problems which faces the Anglican Communion (the worldwide amalgamation of 38 "provinces" which are nominally under the spiritual and organizational umbrella of the Church of England) is that, unlike in Roman Catholicism, there is no central spiritual authority as such. The Episcopal Church in the US is much more independent as regards the Archbishop of Canterbury (the Very Rev. Rowan Williams, I believe) than any Catholic parish or diocese is as regards the Pope. While there are common theological underpinnings, I believe that the indidividual provinces do have some leeway in how they interpret Scripture and the like, and the Episcopal Church (in the person of Frank Griswold, who presides over it) has said that it views the decision to elect gay Bishops and the like as being culturally relative - what might be appropriate for one province need not be binding on the others.

Another difference is that the Episcopal Church in the US is, as I understand it, decidedly nonevangelical (something I rather like), whereas in many African and Asian provinces, the Church as a much more proselytizing flavor. I could be wrong, but I think that is a source of some of the discontent. I wonder, too, if the image of the Episcopal Church in the US as being a denomination of the upper classes (an image not wholly undeserved, I might add, sadly enough) might not chafe adherents in other provinces. I haven't read anything to that affect, but I do wonder if there isn't some resentment.

It's worth noting that there is still significant opposition to the recent decision from within the US Church as well, although this doesn't represent nearly the threat to Church unity as does that from without (Nigeria, for example, has 17 million followers in its province, and the leadership there is staunchly against recognizing/blessing/whatever of gay relationships, etc.). Rev. Williams has called a synod, I believe, for this Fall to discuss the goings on with Church leaders.

For my personal view, I like to borrow the words of a priest I knew in graduate school, who told me, "the Church is a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints." But maybe that's just me.

[cookie]

I wasn't raised an Episcopalian but was confirmed as one as an adult. I don't go to church very much, but certainly this whole thing holds interest for me.

I personally don't have a problem with it. I'm a pretty liberal Episcopalian. The Episcopal church seems to leave room for argument and many communicants have differing views about what it means to be an Episcopalian. There have been Episcopalian theologians who argue that the stories of the virgin birth and the resurrection of Jesus are allegorical, and not literal. That wouldn't fly among Bible literalists.

On another board, the complaint from one woman made sense to me. Seems that she got pregnant before marriage and felt pressured by the church to get married before the baby came because "sex outside of marriage is a sin." Well, her problem was not that Robinson is gay, but rather that she felt it was unfair for the church to hold her to one standard while holding Robinson to another. I thought that was an interesting take: not that homosexuality itself is a "sin" but that it was unfair for a gay person to be given special dispensation .

Of course, the ordination of women caused similar problems for the church and it seemed to survive. One thing that I've always appreciated about the Episcopal Church is that there seems to be room for debate. That never was the case in the Fundy churches I grew up in.

[Captain Hate]

Originally posted by cookie
On another board, the complaint from one woman made sense to me. Seems that she got pregnant before marriage and felt pressured by the church to get married before the baby came because "sex outside of marriage is a sin." Well, her problem was not that Robinson is gay, but rather that she felt it was unfair for the church to hold her to one standard while holding Robinson to another.

Whenever I hear of the Church changing what is a sin and what isn't, I have this image of all these scorched souls going through the pearly gates and the souls that were already there saying "If I'd have known this I'd have had a lot more fun."

[moneyp]

Originally posted by Ron Thorne
Exellent news, even to an agnostic who's married to a PK!

Penalty killer?