Posted on 10/19/2003 8:47:50 PM PDT by UnklGene
God urging me on, says 'gay' bishop - (Filed: 20/10/2003)
The Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop-elect said yesterday that he is agonising over the turmoil his election is causing but believes God wants him to go forward.
"This is one of the hardest things I'll ever do," said the Rev Gene Robinson at Grace Church, Manchester, New Hampshire. "I do have this sense I'm supposed to go forward, and I do feel that's coming from God and not my own ego."
Rev Gene Robinson Rev Robinson was elected by clergy and parishioners in New Hampshire in June and confirmed by the national Episcopal Church in August. He is scheduled to be consecrated as bishop of New Hampshire in two weeks. His election and confirmation has outraged some conservatives and is threatening to divide the Episcopal Church in the United States and the worldwide Anglican Communion, of which it is part.
At an emergency meeting at Lambeth Palace, in London, last week Anglican leaders warned that if Rev Robinson was consecrated as planned on Nov 2, "the future of the communion itself will be put in jeopardy".
Rev Robinson, 56, who was accompanied by a police officer yesterday, remains optimistic about the Church's future, saying it has weathered similar crises in the past.
Anglican leaders, representing 77 million members worldwide, say homosexuality is "contrary to Scripture". Mr Robinson says that is outweighed by the Scripture's call for love and acceptance of all.
Sure He is ... He's just giving him a poke in the butt to get him moving.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.