The Church of the Redeemer is in the Episcopal diocese of New Hampshire. Recently, nearly forty people in the congregation left to begin a new life outside the jurisdiction of +Robinson's authority. They are worshipping in a Baptist Church.
Apparently, when women were ordained, a fair number of them left to start Trinity Anglican Church. It seems self-sustaining, enough to build its own church.
But there are some who are returning to Redeemer. In an ENS article, one person said, "I lapsed from the church for a while and the fact that Gene Robinson became a bishop brought me back," he said. "The diocese chose him through an open and fair election. The fact that he is gay is immaterial."
Yesterday, the plumber, who is a Catholic, asked me if my parish was decreasing in terms of numbers. "No. Some left before I came, however, because they liked the last pastor a lot."
"I just don't understand - I mean, for all my life, I've taught that it was wrong, you know, being gay. I mean, why is the church changing now?"
"Well you're catholic. Don't you know Gay priests?"
"He stumbled. Well, yeah, in fact, I would say most of them are gay. But they're..."
"celibate."
"I mean, if I were an adulterer, I still think I should be able to come to church."
"Uh, yeah."
"And there are lots of addictions. Like gay people need church too."
"Ok, that's one way of looking at it."
"And I guess that he is a very spiritual person, this bishop up there. I mean, he's from such a liberal state, Massachusetts."
"He's from New Hampshire."
"Oh, New Hampshire, well, is that so?"
"Yep. They have an independent streak, and they did know Robinson for a long time. Look, think of sexuality like food. Some foods you will always like; others you will, because of your conditioning, find taboo. Other foods would never cross your mind."
"I see. Hm, that's interesting, Father. I love having these conversations with you. I mean, I know what you're saying. I mean, I think God welcomes everybody. But I mean, give gay couples, or even any two people, partnerships to manage insurance and the like. But marriage is between a man and a woman. And only between a man and a woman."
"Well, I won't argue with that" if he gives civil rights to gay couples, why bother with semantics?
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