Episcopal bishop stands by gays
Skip Adams counters Anglican Communion threat, says he values GLBT people.
Syracuse Post-Standard
Sunday, March 04, 2007
By Renée K. Gadoua Staff writer

The local Episcopal bishop continues to support gay men and lesbians, even as leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion threaten to punish the American church for such policies.

"As bishop of this Diocese, I will not sacrifice GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) people for the sake of an unjust unity," Bishop Gladstone "Skip" Adams wrote in a letter sent to clergy in the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York last week.

"I will not ask gay and lesbian people to go to the back of the bus for a time," he wrote. "The gifts of God's GLBT people will continue to be welcome in this Diocese in all areas of ministry."

Adams' comments came more than a week after Anglican leaders gave the Episcopal Church a Sept. 30 deadline to bar official blessings for same-sex unions and stop consecrating gay bishops.

If the 2.4 million-member Episcopal Church does not comply, it risks a diminished status and role in the 77 million-member Anglican Communion.

Conservative bishops, most from the developing world, have pushed for the removal of the Episcopal Church in response to the 2003 consecration of the country's first openly gay bishop.

They say New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson's consecration represents the denomination's rejection of biblical authority, which they interpret as barring homosexuality.

Others consider Robinson's consecration a victory for justice and inclusion and an example of evolving biblical interpretations.

The tension has led more than 40 parishes to split from their dioceses, and at least one American diocese has affiliated with the bishop of Nigeria.

In Central New York, St. Andrew's Church designated the bishop of Rwanda its leader because of its opposition to the local diocese's support for Robinson and other policies involving gay men and lesbians. The diocese sued the parish at 5013 S. Salina St., Syracuse, in July, saying the diocese owns the [sic]

[sic] than a week after Anglican leaders gave the Episcopal Church a Sept. 30 deadline to bar official blessings for same-sex unions and stop consecrating gay bishops. If the 2.4 million-member Episcopal Church does not comply, it risks a diminished status and role in the 77 million-member Anglican Communion.

Conservative bishops, most from the developing world, have pushed for the removal of the Episcopal Church in response to the 2003 consecration of the country's first openly gay bishop. They say New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson's consecration represents the denomination's rejection of biblical authority, which they interpret as barring homosexuality.

Others consider Robinson's consecration a victory for justice and inclusion and an example of evolving biblical interpretations.

The tension has led more than 40 parishes to split from their dioceses, and at least one American diocese has affiliated with the bishop of Nigeria.

In Central New York, St. Andrew's Church designated the bishop of Rwanda its leader because of its opposition to the local diocese's support for Robinson and other policies involving gay men and lesbians. The diocese sued the parish at 5013 S. Salina St., Syracuse, in July, saying the diocese owns the church building, rectory and parish assets. The case is in state Supreme Court.

Two other parishes - St. Andrew's, in Vestal, and the Church of the Good Shepherd, in Binghamton - are in the midst of discussions about whether to withdraw from the diocese.

For several years, the three parishes have withheld financial assessments as a protest connected with disagreement about the church's policies on homosexuality, Adams said.

While that shows the issue has a local impact, Adams and his assistant, the Rev. Karen C. Lewis, said the dissenters' views represent a minority among the diocese's 94 parishes. The diocese encompasses Central New York, north to Alexandria Bay and south to the Pennsylvania border.

Lewis, who has been meeting with leaders of the two Southern Tier parishes, said she and Adams hope they can reach a compromise that keeps the parishes in the diocese and does not include litigation.

"We're still having conversations," she said.

The Rev. Anthony Seel, pastor St. Andrew's, isn't so optimistic. He said in a 48-7 vote the congregation agreed to leave the diocese.

"We'd like to be released from this bishop totally," he said. "I don't think there's any indication of any change of heart."

Adams said he expects more clarification about the Sept. 30 deadline and the view of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori when he meets with other Episcopal leaders at a House of Bishops meeting March 16 to 21. link

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