August 3, 2003 Dear Friends: On Sunday, August 3, 2003, the House of Deputies at General Convention consented to the consecration of the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson as the Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of New Hampshire. In a vote by orders, 63 lay deputations voted yes and 65 clerical deputations voted yes; 32 lay deputations voted no and 31 clerical deputations voted no; and 13 lay deputations were divided and 12 clerical deputations were divided. The Virginia deputation voted in favor by three to one in each order. The consent vote is likely to come before the House of Bishops on Monday, with voting limited to diocesan bishops. I expect to consent. Since the election in New Hampshire, I have prayed and wrestled with this question. I have consulted with other bishops, with our diocesan Standing Committee, with deans of our regions, and individually with clergy and lay persons. I have listened to differing points of view and I am aware of the inherent controversy no matter what the final outcome. I am convinced of the need to respect the Diocese of New Hampshire’s decision, in spite of my personal reservations and our current diocesan policy, which would not permit Canon Robinson to be ordained in Virginia. The Diocese of New Hampshire has known Canon Robinson for 28 years, celebrates his gifts for ministry and was fully aware when he was elected that he lives in a gay partnership. His consecration as a Bishop does not change Virginia’s policy that we believe “the normative context for sexual intimacy is lifelong, heterosexual, monogamous marriage.” The church is not of one mind on the issue of same-sex partnerships. Earlier this year, the primates of the churches of the worldwide Anglican Communion discouraged the member churches of the communion from developing rites of blessing for such relationships. In respect for the unity of our communion, I will oppose proposals for same-sex blessings that come before this convention. Since my own consecration in 1984, I have consented to the consecrations of nearly 200 bishops. Some were divorced and remarried, some opposed the ordination of women, some had limited experience and others held theological views contrary to my own. Each had been elected in an open, fair election where the diocese knew whom they were electing. I believe the Holy Spirit guides the church often through the decisions of lay people and clergy at diocesan conventions, councils and synods. And I believe the Holy Spirit will guide and protect the church even as we disagree with one another. My prayer is that our people will unite in the mission we share, even as we acknowledge respectfully differences among us. We must look to the cross of Christ, which embraces us in unity and not to peripheral matters of sexuality where we differ. Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Peter
James Lee |
