Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. WASHINGTON, DC (3/29/2006): LEAC’s blind, confidential survey of the U.S. House of Bishops found that 56.25% of respondents now would disapprove of the 2003 General Convention resolution which led to consecration of Bishop V. Gene Robinson, and 57.5% would oppose provisions for church blessing of same-sex domestic partnerships, another of the convention’s historic resolutions. The study reversed the 2003 results but of course has no standing.
A satisfactory sample of 27% of the nation’s active and retired bishops participated. Response was likely suppressed during the data collection period by a special, unfavorable letter to bishops from Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. The derogatory letter said the sponsor of the research was anonymous, although the covering letter explaining the study and questionnaire was on LEAC’s letterhead, with name and address. Griswold’s erroneous words and unfavorable tone apparently caused reduced responses.
LEAC employed the three-question opinion research to gain realistic insight into today’s House of Bishops thinking. It studied key elements of possibilities for reconciliation versus the continuing revisionism and schism fostered by many of ECUSA’s leadership bishops. The widest possible participation by the most senior and experienced tier of Episcopal clergy was desired and now will be sought by more personal contact.
LEAC’s Research Committee would be pleased to have comments from any bishop.
Survey respondents split almost evenly on the third question, assessing relative loyalty to ECUSA and the Anglican Communion, with 46.25 % desiring to stay with ECUSA regardless of whether it remains in the Anglican Communion. Solidarity with the Anglican Communion would come first in such a showdown for 45% and 8.75% chose not to answer that question. This division could be a serious ECUSA political concern for the presiding bishop as he leads his church into a critical period through mid-June’s General Convention and beyond.