Something is terribly wrong. At a time when small parishes are hard pressed to meet their budgets and their diocesan assessments, our national church reportedly is preparing to expend more than $500,000 to prosecute Bishop Righter for ordaining a gay deacon. According to Bishop Righter, he will need to raise $500,000 for his own defense.

As a Christian, I endeavor to follow Christ's admonition to love God and my neighbor. As a Franciscan, I am pledged to oppose injustice. I see much injustice and an absence of Christian charity in this trial.

If you share my concern about this persecution, please join me in praying fervently for the 10 bishops bringing the charges against Bishop Righter, that God might soften their hearts.

Marilyn Brandenburg Bainbridge Island, Wash.