Episcopals Rebuff Demands on Stance on Gays

I feel such happiness for all gay and lesbian Episcopalians today. How wonderful that their Church is standing its ground on its commitment to full equality for all people, including gays and lesbians. Episcopal bishops made it clear today that they will not abandon or exclude anyone because of who they are. They made it clear that nothing less than full inclusion will suffice. That is what they believe the Gospel teaches.

Now I’d be a wee bit dishonest though if I didn’t fess up to feeling a little bit of sadness mixed in with the great joy I feel over this wonderful announcement today. This amazing piece of news only makes the Catholic Church’s position on gays and lesbians look even more archaic and cruel.

Today is a bittersweet day for Catholic gays and lesbians and their friends and family. It should also be a reality check. The Episcopal bishops chose to move their Church forward today. The Pope is content to keep his Church in the dark ages. But at least he’ll have good company with his Nigerian brethren.

But enough of that, there is no sense in dwelling on the Catholic Church today when we can bask in the enlightenment of the Episcopal Church:

Responding to an ultimatum from the leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion, bishops of the Episcopal Church have rejected a key demand to create a parallel leadership structure to serve the conservative minority of Episcopalians who oppose their church’s liberal stand on homosexuality.

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The bishops have a “deep longing” to remain part of the Communion, they said, but they are unwilling to compromise the Episcopal Church’s autonomy and its commitment to full equality for all people, including gay men and lesbians.

Hat tip to Mike and Dean