COLORADO: EPISCOPAL POLICY ON GAYS EXPECTED

By Eric Gorski

Denver Post Staff Writer

8/10/2004

Colorado bishop weighs statement

Colorado Episcopal Bishop Rob O'Neill is expected to issue long-awaited policy statements this month on same-sex unions and the ordination of gays and lesbians, issues that have deeply divided the church nationwide and in Colorado.

O'Neill, who supports broader involvement of gays and lesbians in the church, said that "different understandings" exist about the diocese's existing policies and practices, and he is seeking a clearer stance.

O'Neill has taken a deliberate approach to issues of sexuality since becoming bishop of 35,000 Colorado Episcopalians in January, shortly after the elevation of the nation's first openly gay bishop in New Hampshire pushed the issue to the forefront.

One of O'Neill's first steps was to appoint a 10-member task force that recently completed a blueprint for how the diocese can stick together despite differences over sexuality. The report is to be made public near the end of August, and O'Neill plans to announce his positions on ordination and gay unions about the same time.

"The issue before us is not whether we agree or disagree about matters of sexuality and Christian faith," O'Neill said. "That we disagree is evident. The question that we must address is what are the consequences of our disagreement. How will we or will we not choose to live together?"

But conservative Episcopal leaders believe the diocese needs to fall in line with Anglican Church teaching that marriage should be between a man and woman, sexual activity outside of marriage is not condoned and ordination of practicing homosexuals is not legitimate. The 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church is the American arm of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

"Unless the central platform of this recommendation is an affirmation of the teaching of the Anglican Communion, I don't see how anything they say will draw alienated conservatives back to more full engagement," said the Rev. Ephraim Radner of Pueblo, the conservatives' choice for Colorado bishop last year.

Among O'Neill's challenges will be squaring diocesan policy on ordination with the fact that gay clergy in committed relationships already serve in the diocese.

A diocesan handbook published in 1999 states that clergy are to "exhibit a lifestyle consistent with the Episcopal Church's teaching regarding appropriate physical sexual expression, that is, married and faithful, or single and celibate."

Said O'Neill: "My goal is to establish consistent policy and practice."

He said he will seek to do the same with same-sex blessing ceremonies that fall short of marriage.

In 1994, Colorado Episcopal Bishop Jerry Winterrowd reached an agreement with some clergy allowing same-sex couples to receive prayers of thanksgiving during "the prayers of the people" portion of Sunday worship, O'Neill said. But interpretation of that agreement has varied, and some people didn't know it existed, he said.

One thing seems clear: The diocese is not likely to follow the lead of at least six other U.S. dioceses and develop a new rite for same-sex unions.

A year ago, the church's General Convention adopted a document that was interpreted by some as opening the door for development of such rites.

But O'Neill reaffirmed his belief that that was not the intent, and the national church must develop a same-sex liturgy before Colorado would follow suit.

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