Posted on 08/23/2003 2:05:43 PM PDT by schaketo
CHEYENNE (AP) -- An Episcopal priest will leave his job, though not the church, over the recent approval of an openly gay bishop and blessing of same-sex relationships by the church.
The Rev. H. W. "Skip" Reeves Jr., rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, announced his decision in a letter to parishioners. He is also resigning as chairman of the church's Commission on Ministry and its Committee on Evangelism and as a member of its Diocesan Council.
"It's the hardest thing in my life," Reeves said. "I'm not trying to lead any band or parade or anything like that. It's just a personal action I feel I have to take."
Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming Bishop Bruce Caldwell could not be reached for comment.
Reeves disagrees with the confirmation of the first non-celibate gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Gene Robinson of the Diocese of New Hampshire. He also disapproves of a resolution accepting the blessings of same-sex relationships.
Both actions were taken during the Episcopal Church's 74th General Convention in Minneapolis, Minn., from July 28 through Aug. 8.
As the person ultimately responsible for education at St. Mark's, Reeves said he felt he would be forced to teach and support views with which he disagrees.
He has been a minister 34 years, including the last decade at St. Mark's Church.
Reeves said he accepted gay parishioners' explanation that they could not recall a time when they were not attracted to members of the opposite sex. He also said he feels sexual orientation is not a matter of choice.
But, as Reeves wrote in a series of letters to parishioners, his position on accepting gays in the church changed recently after meeting with four local psychologists.
He said he changed his mind after one psychologist told him that pedophiles also report they have never known a time when they were not attracted to little boys or girls.
He said he realizes that his position might be offensive to gays.
"I still want to have them in the church," he said. "I'm not chasing them out. But I'm not promoting the lifestyle as a healthy Christian lifestyle."
The Rev. Anne Fontaine, who works with St. John's Episcopal Church in Jackson, said most people in her church support Robinson's appointment as bishop and see it as an act of inclusion and honesty.
"Whether people leave the church over this or not, I hope not," she said. "I hope the tent is big enough for us to stay together."
Tim Solon, who has been a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming for 40 years, said he sympathizes Reeves but feels his decision is a symptom of cultural conditioning.
"He's very aware of the selective use of Bible passages to support his position," Solon said. "What we need now is to try and do the Christian ministry of reconciliation and recognize that there is still room for differences of opinion."
The issue is likely to be a topic of discussion when St. Mark's and St. Christopher's Episcopal Church host the diocesan convention Oct. 3-5.
Reeves said he plans to meet with other bishops, clergy and concerned lay people in Plano, Texas, Oct. 7-9 to consider forming a new Anglican province in North America.
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Got an e-mail address for him so we can send some support for his action?
Just kidding, way to go Rector. Let's hope for the Episcopal Church's sake there are enough sane clergy left that they can wrest control from the gaggle of socialist non-christians who currently run that Church.
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