Colorado Episcopal Church Okays Gay Priests (Again)
“The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado is ending its so-called “period of restraint” on ordaining gay priests. Bishop Robert O’Neill ordained Mary Catherine Volland to the priesthood during a ceremony at St. John’s Cathedral on Saturday. Volland, a longtime Colorado resident and partnered lesbian, had been a candidate for ordination in the Diocese of Minnesota. She will serve at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Denver.” [Washington Blade]
I was forwarded a copy of the press release that was “put out” by those within the Diocese of Colorado (I am a member). In it, Bishop O’Neill states: “The Diocese of Colorado is perhaps the most politically and theologically diverse diocese in The Episcopal Church.â€
As an openly gay person who for so long has endured the lack of recognition of openly gay clergy who has waited for the day that the love that two people share for each other should be recognized on an equal plane with marriage I am deeply hurt that we’re now supposed to join hands and be happy that we have an ordained LGBT clergyperson. Am I to forget the years that we as members were told “the time isn’t now, but go back to your churches and have ‘sacred diologue’”?
This diocese and its Bishop have quietly sat back and let our community be thrown under the bus to save irking some members. I state right here and right now that as a member of The Episcopal Church in the USA I am one very irked member. They worry about pissing off the people who are straight…now it’s time they worry about pissing off those who seek to see the face of Christ in every one they meet…those who truly are working to love their neighbors as themselves…My priest (knowing that I am openly gay said Sunday that “it’s a great day to be an Episcopalian”. Right now I’m not so sure.
I am thankful for this step forward, but I stopped supporting the Church a long time ago.