Train wreck in Anaheim

The House of Deputies at the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in Anaheim has moved quickly on some of the most controversial issues, passing resolutions that allow blessings for same-sex union and gay bishops with a two-thirds majority. Many Episcopal insiders, however, say those measures face a tougher climb in the House of Bishops, which must […]

The House of Deputies at the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in Anaheim has moved quickly on some of the most controversial issues, passing resolutions that allow blessings for same-sex union and gay bishops with a two-thirds majority.

Many Episcopal insiders, however, say those measures face a tougher climb in the House of Bishops, which must also approve the resolutions before they become church law. As of 5 pm Pacific Time, the House of Bishops is debating the resolution on allowing gay bishops. The Episcopal Cafe is live-blogging it here. The text of the resolution is here.

Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the church’s only openly gay bishop, said the bishops and deputies aren’t exactly of one mind about these resolutions.


On his blog last Friday, Robinson wrote: “I fear (and I hope I’m not being overly dramatic here) that we are moving toward a train wreck between the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. I sense an unwillingness among the bishops to listen to these voices of the laity and clergy. I hope I’m terribly wrong, but it seems that bishops feel they have some special access to God’s will and nothing will persuade them otherwise. I shutter to think of a church where the Bishops are so disconnected from the will of the people they serve. Please God, let me be terribly wrong about this perception, and may the scales fall from my pessimistic eyes and reveal an episcopate who has listened to the Spirit’s movement in the people of this Church.”

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