Local pastors voice opposition to bishop’s election
Two local Episcopal pastors do not support the action of the Episcopal General Convention in approving the election of the church’s first openly gay bishop, but they do support their own bishop, who has taken a strong stand against the confirmation. The Episcopal General Convention, meeting in Minneapolis, voted Tuesday to approve the election of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire.
The convention voted 62-45 to confirm the election of Rev. Robinson, a 56-year-old divorced father of two who has been living with his male partner for 13 years.
Rev. Robinson served as an assistant to the current New Hampshire bishop, who is retiring. Rev. Robinson was selected to succeed as bishop, but his election had to be approved by a majority of bishops, clergy and lay people serving as convention delegates.
Speaking for his congregation, the Rev. Thomas Finnie, pastor of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Uniontown, said, “The majority of our folks, regardless of other characteristics of Gene Robinson, think it is not appropriate to ordain someone who does not live according to biblical morality. So, I’d say most of our folks say it was a bad choice by our friends in New Hampshire and by the bishops of the church.’
Speaking personally, Rev. Finnie said, “The bottom line is that I’m not pleased with the action of the church but proud of my own bishop and his stand, and will continue to uphold the traditional Christian faith.’
Bishop Robert Duncan of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh does not agree with the confirmation and issued a strong statement that called the confirmation unconstitutional.
“I will stand against the actions of this convention with everything I have and everything I am,” he wrote, “I have not left, and will not leave, the Episcopal Church or my apostolic role as Episcopal Bishop of Pittsburgh. It is this 74th General Convention that has left us, betrayed us, undone us.’
As a possible exodus by conservative Americans in the Episcopal Church is being discussed, Bishop Duncan included a message for the people of Pittsburgh: “Do not let the sheep scatter. Care for one another. The Great Shepherd is faithful and has won the eternal victory. It may take a season, but he always reforms his church. Do not give up. Do not lose heart.’
The Rev. Peter Ostrander, pastor of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Waynesburg, noted that he also sides with Bishop Duncan. He said that while he doesn’t believe in persecuting people who have a certain lifestyle, he doesn’t believe that lifestyle should be held up as a wholesome example in the church.
“I think there has been a concern among a few members that this may lead to some division among those, like myself, who take a conservative or evangelical view of Scripture and those who look to it as a justice or equality issue. I don’t believe Scriptures favor homosexual relationships, and I believe the relationship God instituted in marriage is one woman and one man for life. …I feel (Rev. Robinson’s) lifestyle is contrary to Scripture and should have been something that prevented him from being made bishop.’
Bishops worldwide have expressed displeasure with this action by the American Episcopal Church.
Rev. Finnie noted that there are 2.3 million Episcopalians in the United States but 77 million worldwide.
“The vast majority of our overseas friends think this is a terrible mistake,’ Rev. Finnie said. “The United States is out of step with the Anglican Church worldwide.’
Asked what impact this move will have on the local church, Rev. Ostrander said, “I think it’s possible some people who are conservative biblically may choose not to visit an Episcopal church because of the step the national church has taken. And, there might be some who are more interested because of the stand. But I don’t see it as being particularly helpful.’
Rev. Finnie is looking for answers in the diocesan convention this fall as to “whether we choose to remain visibly connected to the national church.’
He noted, “Not every parish (in the diocese) agrees with us. About 15 or so within the diocese think the decision made at the national conference was right, where the majority think it was the wrong decision.’
Rev. Finnie said the diocesan convention will be held in November unless a special convention is called earlier.