Episcopal Priest Resigns over Church's 'Pervasive Homophobia'

Stand Firm ^ | 8/15/2006 | Greg Griffith

[sionnsar]

Delaware, Ohio--A central Ohio Episcopal priest has resigned his ordination to protest what he calls “pervasive homophobia” coming mostly from the church leadership in the third world.

Former Rev. Paul Nicely issued a written statement July 25 saying, “I no longer in conscience can honor my vow as a priest to be subject to the authority of a church which persists in sanctioning bigotry and exclusion.”

“There’s not much an individual can do,” Nicely said in a later interview. “There’s not much political influence for an individual, but I wanted to be expressive in my views on this.”

Nicely, 80, retired 17 years ago from the faculty of the Methodist Theological School of Ohio in Delaware, where he spent most of his career.

His resignation means he is now only able to preach as laity, and can no longer perform priestly functions.

The resignation does not affect his pension, as that is coming from the seminary, not the church.

But Nicely’s language to church leaders is poignant.

“At my age, having tried for 30 years to educate my little corner of the church about the normalcy of homosexual orientation, and having battled a witless biblical literalism much longer than that, I am unwilling for my church any longer to choose false unity instead of elementary justice,” he wrote.

[sionnsar]

[Click through for the comments. --sionnsar]

[sionnsar]

Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this moderately high-volume ping list (typically 3-9 pings/day).
This list is pinged by sionnsar, Huber and newheart.

Resource for Traditional Anglicans: http://trad-anglican.faithweb.com
More Anglican articles here.

Humor: The Anglican Blue (by Huber)

Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15

[308MBR]

Great, we're one step closer to Episcopalians relearning how to play chess. Knowing the difference between a Bishop and a Queen is critical to playing the game.

[muawiyah]

Sounds like the guy would rather be a homosexual than learn to get along with his little brown brethren abroad.

Talk about some bigotry!

[Diego1618]

and having battled a witless biblical literalism

Yeah! We sure can't allow this. We just might have to admit some things are actually wrong! Then where would we be?

[keithtoo]

See yah!

[ladyinred]

Seems to me he needs the time off. May I suggest he read his Bible in his spare time.

[VOA]

Nicely, 80, retired 17 years ago from the faculty of the Methodist Theological
School of Ohio in Delaware, where he spent most of his career.

When my mother voiced mild concern that the new preacher at
her church hadn't attended seminary, I said "Mom, that may be a good thing.".

[Argus]

The resignation does not affect his pension

So I guess he's got no problem continuing to take money from these witless, oppressive homophobes.

[VOA]

So I guess he's got no problem continuing to take money from
these witless, oppressive homophobes.

So beautifully put, it had to be repeated.

[Carolina]

Ping for more ecclesial silliness!

[fogofbobegabay]

Did the old fool also resign his pension? I think not.

[mistybella]

“At my age, having tried for 30 years to educate my little corner of the church about the normalcy of homosexual orientation, and having battled a witless biblical literalism much longer than that, I am unwilling for my church any longer to choose false unity instead of elementary justice,” he wrote.

OMG he actively preached against Gods word?

[Antioch]

huh? I guess he let his Advocate subscription lapse

[fwdude]

Bye bye.

[Condor 63]

Exactly.

[LiteKeeper]

Talk about twisted...calling evil good, and good evil. Wow!

[stan_sipple]

what about the minds of the seminarians he infected with his anti-scripture views?

[VOA]

"what about the minds of the seminarians he infected with his anti-scripture views?"

Yes.
That is what I was driving at.

[Petronski]

...witless biblical literalism...

Sheesh.