COLORADO: EPISCOPALIANS QUESTION SAME-SEX EVENT

By Jean Torkelson

Rocky Mountain News

May 5, 2004

Episcopal Bishop Rob O'Neill said Tuesday he plans to meet this week with the Rev. Bonnie Spencer to find out what kind of same-sex event she celebrated with her partner two weeks ago.

"Details are not clear to me," said O'Neill, who was out of town when the event took place at Good Shepherd Church in Centennial.

The bishop has not authorized same-sex blessings in Colorado.

Spencer, an assistant rector at the parish, has denied that's what took place. A regional church official, the Rev. Lou Blanchard, described it as a party to celebrate the couple's relationship.

The Episcopal Church USA allows dioceses to develop same-sex blessings. While O'Neill supports same-sex issues, he promised conservatives he would not act while the issue is being studied by a diocesan task force.

Nevertheless, conservatives see the event at Good Shepherd as another sign the Episcopal Church has broken from its traditional roots and are threatening to walk unless O'Neill takes action.

The Rev. Don Armstrong, of Colorado Springs, said he predicts that about seven parishes will seek to reorganize under an alternative Episcopal bishop unless O'Neill clamps down on same-sex issues.

Said O'Neill: "As I told Don (Armstrong) last week, what he can always expect is a measured and appropriate response. We will take it a step at a time."

Whatever took place at Good Shepherd, O'Neill said the matter will be referred to the diocese's standing committee, the decision-making arm of the diocese, as well as the same-sex task force.

O'Neill shrugged off the conservatives' charge that the diocese is in a precarious position, although he acknowledged that this year's budget has been adjusted to reflect a $350,000 shortfall.

"People are not leaving the Episcopal Church in droves," he said. "Some parishes and dioceses are showing increases, and some are struggling."

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