Memphis Bishop (Don Johnson) tearfully apologizes to homosexual members of church

AP ^ | August 11, 2003 | AP Staff writer

[new cruelty]

Memphis Episcopal Bishop Don Johnson has apologized to gay and lesbian members of the West Tennessee diocese as he explained his vote against the denomination's first openly gay bishop.

At a meeting last night at Grace-St. Luke's, Johnson stood crying and said in voting against the election of V. Gene Robinson, he didn't mean to reject gay members of the church.

Johnson was among 43 bishops who voted against the election of Robinson to lead the New Hampshire diocese. They were the minority.

Johnson says he voted "no" because the church hadn't done the theological study needed for it and because the worldwide Anglican Communion will be strained by it.

Most people who came to listen chose not to comment, saying they hadn't yet decided the issue for themselves or weren't comfortable talking about their feelings.

Those who did comment generally upheld the denomination's decision.

Justin Tisdale listened to Johnson, then said Robinson's sexual orientation should make no difference in his church leadership role.

[SunStar]

The church has been lost to communism/secularism.

[wideawake]

What a candyass.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Most people who came to listen chose not to comment, saying they hadn't yet decided the issue for themselves or weren't comfortable talking about their feelings.

Well, on the upside, it must mean that most who came to listen are not Liberals, because we all know that to Liberals, there is nothing more important than "talking about their feelings" ;0)

[aimhigh]

Amazing. If they crumble like this in times of peace, just imaging how bad it will be next year when the persecution hits.

[new cruelty]

Just be glad he isn't here to read that. Such a comment might make him cry again.

[joesnuffy]

And most of all...we would have lost money members

[egarvue]

At a meeting last night at Grace-St. Luke's, Johnson stood crying and said in voting against the election of V. Gene Robinson, he didn't mean to reject gay members of the church.

Oh make me puke out loud. The devil has truly emasculated the Episcopal "church". One can only pray that the African and Asian Anglicans can stand firm against this European and American apostasy.

[fishtank]

[wideawake]

LOL!

[StarCMC]

At a meeting last night at Grace-St. Luke's, Johnson stood crying and said in voting against the election of V. Gene Robinson, he didn't mean to reject gay members of the church.

Of course they shouldn't reject them -- only sick people need a hospital. But neither should they be exalted to ANY position of leadership in ANY church and certainly not in an area where they can influence children!! Ugh! Talk about sucking up!

[Redcloak]

Hadn't done enough "theological study"?!?

What is it with this denomination? Even when their leaders vote correctly, they do so for the wrong reasons. Their "study" shouldn't have taken more than 25 minutes. (Less, if they have a good concordance on hand!)

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Don Johnson

Wasn't this guy on Miami Vice?...

All kidding aside, is it really appropriate to appoint an unrepentant adulterer who abandoned his wife and children just so he could have sex often in a man's butt, Bishop? When will the unrepentant thief become Bishop?

[new cruelty]

The Rev. Bill Harper of Grace Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island called election of a gay bishop "a good thing." (August 11, 2003)

Photo Credit: David Bitton/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

[TomServo]

What a candyass.

Short. To the point. And Funny. I give it a 10.

[lilylangtree]

This bishop is a wuss! His "no" wasn't because it was against the word of God, the same word that he's suppose to teach, but because "not enough theological study".

[Reactionary]

Billy has something in his ear. I don't think it's a bug, however.

Another candyass.

[onedoug]

Compound adultery with homosexuality and you too may become a Bishop in the Episcopal Church!

[mel]

Well, they won't get another cent of my money at any rate

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

I think that ECUSA has been so marginalized over the years that most conservative members must left early on. Afterall they are down to 2.1 million from 3.5 million at their peak (may have been more than that). Any minister having to apologize for not voting for the active homo Bishop must be getting heat from a not so conservative congregation. I am not sure how much schism will develop now that most of the sanity departed in the early years.