Diocese of Olympia Supports Ordination of Homosexuals
Episcopal News Service. December 4, 1997 [97-2039G]
(News Tribune) The Diocese of Olympia narrowly approved a resolution stating that homosexuality is "morally neutral" and supporting the ordination of gays and lesbians to the clergy. After almost an hour of spirited but civil discussion, delegates to the recent diocesan convention adopted the resolution, 244-190. The resolution affirmed the belief that "some of us are created heterosexual and some of us are created homosexual" and noted that gay and lesbian clergy were already serving the Episcopal Church "with effectiveness and integrity." The resolution also said that gay and lesbian relationships that are "faithful, monogamous, committed, life-giving and holy are to be honored." Several Episcopal dioceses have approved the document, entitled the Statement of Koinonia that emerged from a House of Bishops meeting in 1994.