Responses to 'Lambeth invitation not possible for Robinson'
Episcopal News Service. March 11, 2008 [031108-04]
Episcopal Life Online has received several responses to the news that the House of Bishops was informed March 10 that full invitation is "not possible" from the Archbishop of Canterbury to include Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire as a participant in this summer's Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops. Those responses follow.
Deacon Tom Williams
Odessa, New York
Whenever I vacillate about the ordination/consecration of gays something like the exclusion of Bishop Robinson reminds me that this is a social justice issue -- that's outright discrimination. I can't imagine how that must make him feel -- to be rejected like that.
Rebecca Edge Martin, MD
Little Rock, Arkansas
Bishop Gene Robinson is my hero, and I pray that he will know that he is loved and admired. I am greatly dismayed by the actions of the Anglican community and hope that the Episcopal Church of America will fully continue its path of tolerance and intelligence.
Happy Steitz
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Am praying to God in support of Bishop Robinson because, with God, all things are possible.
Thomas D Hite
Millville, Massachusetts
It is clear to me that once again we who claim ourselves as Christians and more importantly children of God continue to miss the point of it all or I should say some of us miss the point. The point being that all God's children are equal in God's eyes. But, those of us who say we believe this still use discrimination and other behavior which is abhorrent to God. If we are not the right color, size, sex or origin to fit the mold, some of us use as the role model, then we are not accepted by some in the Episcopal Church. Robinson is ordained a bishop and should not be treated any way other than the way we treat all ordained people. I am a child of God, I am gay and married in Massachusetts, have children, served in the USMC and am a proud Episcopalian who serves his church well and serves the community around him. Lets all get a life please. God forgive us all
Kathy Araujo
Portland, Oregon
I am saddened for Bishop Robinson and the Episcopal Church and sickened by the narrow-mindedness of the rest of the Anglican Communion. I join with Bishop Robinson in asking: "What kind of a Communion do we have and what are we trying to save?" It looks less and less like one I want anything to do with.
Gary Flowers
Henderson, Kentucky
If Bishop Robinson really wants to help the church he could resign.
Holly Kuehn
Arvada, Colorado
While I understand that having Bishop Robinson at the Lambeth Conference could be a bit of a powder keg in terms of church politics, I am disappointed that there still exists a mentality within the Church that would make it so. I joined the Episcopal Church in 2006 not in spite of it appointing gays and females, but because of it. I am not gay but know many people who are, and their sexual orientation is not my business. I don't believe Jesus would have turned these people away from his flock either.
Art Means
Chicago, Illinois
This is a very sad decision, and those who agreed to this decision have their own consciences to report to. Gene's message is one that should be read by everyone. I am encouraged by the support Gene has received from those bishops who opposed his ordination. They are living the life of the Gospel. I pray along with Gene and the entire House of Bishops we, as a Communion, can resolve this matter and move on to preaching the Gospel of Christ, not only with our lips but in our lives, throughout the world.
Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano
San Diego, California
How can there be dialog if one person or side refuses to talk to the other?
Since it has been recognized that Bishop Robinson was elected canonically, how can he now be excluded?
Steven D. Banks
Bellingham, Washington
Very sad that one consecrated and accepted in his diocese as bishop cannot be accepted at all levels of the church. He has accepted his exclusion with grace and dignity and I believe, true love. Perhaps it is because he, like so many of us gay folks in the church who are quite practiced at being excluded, can exercise patience in hopes that things will get better. Things have gotten better but it is obvious that things need to get better still.
The Very Rev. Dr. Russell Johnson
St. Petersburg, Florida
Let me get this straight, a bishop duly elected by the people of his diocese and approved by a majority of bishops and standing committees of our church, duly consecrated by three bishops in apostolic succession who is not guilty of any known crime is not to be invited to Lambeth. I believe this to be an unbelievable affront to our Church and especially to every bishop serving currently in the Episcopal Church. They should all stay home.
Theodora A Jankowski
Edwardsville, Pennsylvania
The refusal to invite the Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, to Lambeth while, at the same time, inviting the Bishop of Nigeria, who supports his country's anti-gay policy which includes the death penalty for homosexual activity, reinforces, yet again, the extremely odd definition of "Christian" or "Christianity" under which the Archbishop of Canterbury and his ilk are operating. A man of honesty and integrity like Gene Robinson should not have to go begging a place from those who apparently only pay lip service to honesty, integrity, and Christianity.
William Martin
Pinellas Park, Florida
Robinson is living in a immoral and sinful life. He does not deserve to be a bishop, a priest or part of the Anglican Church. His attendance at Lambeth would be a dog and pony show, with all eyes on the clown. I pray every day for the replacement of the Archbishop of Canterbury and our Presiding Bishop and that the Anglican Church cuts off the communion with the Episcopal Church.
The Rev. George Ross
Pleasant Hill, California
Bishop Robinson's comments in response to Cantuar's refusal to invite him are the most Christ-like words I have ever been privileged to hear. His words are a beautiful commentary on the Good Friday Gospel. It makes the suffering and death of our Lord meaningful and real for us today as nothing else today can even approach.
Bill McKenzie
Redmond, Washington
Makes one ashamed to be affiliated with the Episcopal Church or should I say the Worldwide Anglican Communion and the Church of England. Bishop Robinson is a fully ordained bishop in not only the Episcopal Church, but also in Greater Church as a whole. In my opinion, the Archbishop of Canterbury is not only remiss, but also negligent in not allowing Bishop Gene Robinson a seat to which he rightfully entitled.
Archbishop Rowan William's action is not only repugnant, but also shows a lack of responsibility as a leader of a worldwide "Christian" denomination. His lack of inclusiveness reflects poorly on all of that profess themselves "Christian" and a part of the Anglican Communion.
David R. Lyon
Dallas, Texas
Having just read Gene Robinson's letter to his fellow bishops, now at Navasota, I find myself "hurting" as he does. Nothing I could say or write will help. I am praying, perhaps more for myself than he. I fully trust God's Mercy, Grace, and Resurrection power to help him, and my beloved church through this difficult time.
Will you please relay a message to Gene...that there is another sheep, still in the herd, in Dallas, Texas who is lifting his soul up to the Throne of Grace.
The Rev. Michael Winsor
Dallas, Texas
As a gay, retired priest (canonically resident in New York), I am reminded again of the graceful, Christ-like behavior and attitude of Bishop Gene Robinson. It is a pity that the Archbishop does not have the courage to be prophetic and speak against the bigotry of the conservatives. He is certainly not Desmond Tutu!
The Rev. Dr. Raymond Hoche-Mong
Montara, Caifornia
I believe that the Archbishop of Canterbury, by Bishop Gene Robinson's exclusion to Lambeth, has shown once again that he does not have the size necessary to occupy either the Chair of St. Augustine or of Archbishop William Temple.
Julie Erwin
Nashville, Tennessee
Again Bishop Robinson is taking the higher road by standing tall and turning the other cheek. Instead of running away he encourages us to carry his message. He makes me so very proud. His honesty and love are to be admired. The only way truth and justice can prevail is through loving, listening and then understanding one another. Nothing is possible if communication ceases. So we must continue to respectfully talk through our differences and work towards loving one another as Christ loves us.
Carter Mears
Seattle, Washington
Precisely into what 'tension' is the Archbishop of Canterbury living? We American Episcopalians are called time and time again to 'live into the tension'; to make sacrifices and to make concessions. I am proud that we are a democratic church and that we continue to find new ways to communicate and to grow; an example is how we are discovering the needs of our brothers and sisters in San Joaquin; those whose voices have been silenced by the raucous mob.
What should distress us most is that that Archbishop Williams has withheld hospitality from one on the fringes. If I were a bishop, I would rather forego the feast and dine with the outcast in the street. Jesus probably would also.
Seldon Short
Dallas, Texas
This is a giant step forward for our Anglican brothers and sisters who live in fear of the full inclusion of ALL of God's children, but a huge step backward for those of us in the GLBT community and our straight allies within the Anglican Communion who long for truly fair and equal treatment from the Archbishop of Canterbury and rest of God's church. Why can't we all learn to love and accept each other?
Steve Carey
Bethesda, Maryland
If I were a bishop and one of my peers was excluded from a meeting that by right they should attend, I would sincerely review my participation with closed minded colleagues bent on political intrigue as opposed to rightful discernment. On the other hand, having colleagues at the table might move things in a positive direction -- not an easy decision for anyone.
And on the subject of the development of covenants, it has taken hundreds of years to develop the creeds to the point that they were acceptable -- how does anyone in their right mind think that any covenant would take a shorter discernment period. After all, our creeds are our covenants, are they not?
Jean Lall
Baltimore, Maryland
"Marketplace" exhibit section????? After all that has happened in the past few years I thought I was pretty well hardened, but this represents an altogether new level of insult and disrespect. The Archbishop of Canterbury should hang his head in shame. In fact, he should step down.
Margaret Easter
Sandy Spring, Maryland
Even though I have to trust that the bishops' recommendation was made in good faith and after significant dialogue, this news is upsetting to me. I had hopes that something could be worked out. From where I sit, it is the intolerant bishops who should be excluded, if anyone must be left out. Is anyone noticing who is and has all along been financing the resistant African bishops and their companions in exclusion? I am glad Bishop Robinson has declined any opportunity to be "on display" -- which could make him appear to be like a peculiar animal in a zoo, rather that the extremely courageous man he is proving to be under very, very difficult circumstances.
The Rev. Canon E. T. Malone, Jr.
Warrenton, North Carolina
Robinson's election in New Hampshire was timed to be close enough to General Convention that it avoided being submitted to the standing committees of the dioceses for approval. Had it been subject to that portion of what is the usual approval process for bishops-elect, it is strongly likely that he would not have been approved. This seeming avoidance of normal scrutiny has always struck me as a kind of backdoor entry into the House of Bishops. Perhaps it is poetic justice that he didn't receive an invitation to Lambeth. Although his election has been hailed as a triumph for inclusion, its benefits have been offset by significant losses in membership, funding, and community standing in my own diocese.
Richard Warren
Newark, Ohio
How unfortunate that one of God's children isn't good enough to be heard by or be associated with the leadership of the Anglican Communion, even though he was lawfully elected according to the Constitution and Canons of his church. One wonders how many of those in attendance are closeted gays, without the courage to simply be what God created them to be.
Sheena Lawrence
Gainesville, Georgia
I don't think any one truly expected Bishop Robinson to be invited to the Lambeth Conference at this time. I respect him for his low-key response. I have really been impressed with Bishop Robinson's behavior; his willingness to acknowledge his homosexuality knowing everyone would be watching and waiting to jump on any "inappropriate" behavior, his excellent behavior -- we would have heard about it in the media within minutes had it been anything less, and his love, compassion and commitment to God that caused his peers to approve him as bishop.
I think Bishop Robinson's example has tempered the attitudes of many people.