Albany resolutions mesh with Episcopal Church

THE REV. PAUL J. HARTT
Friday, June 20, 2008

Lately, there has been a tendency to confuse the Episcopal Church's nondiscrimination policies on sexual orientation with rights to certain behaviors. However, there is a world of difference between an orientation and a behavior.

A college professor may have an "orientation" toward an attractive student in her or his class. Yet she or he is not responsible for the orientation, but for any behavior toward that student.

Likewise, the resolutions passed at our Episcopal Diocesan Convention concern appropriate clergy behavior. The Episcopal Diocese of Albany does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in allowing men or women into the ordination process. But that does not mean, for example, that a man of heterosexual orientation would be a suitable candidate for ordination if his behavior included adultery. He is to be an example to the flock. the rest