Episcopal Church in America

The Episcopal Church has over 2 million members in the United States. In 2003, the church elected The Rev. V. Gene Robinson as the Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. Bishop Robinson, who lives with his partner, is the church's first openly gay bishop. Several Anglican churches in Africa, South America, and Asia rebuked the Episcopal Church for ordaining Bishop Robinson and called for a moratorium on the consecration of any more gay bishops.

Unfortunately, instead of boldly reaffirming Bishop Robinson's ordination and his call to ministry, the U.S. House of Bishops voted in March 2005 to suspend the ordination of any new bishops until the 2006 General Convention.

At the 2006 General Convention, a resolution passed which recommended to U.S. bishops that they withhold their consent to the election of bishops "whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church."

The Episcopal Church limits marriage ceremonies to opposite-sex couples. The church, however, does permit individual congregations to choose to bless same-sex unions under the interpretation of "pastoral care."

Press Releases:

U.S. Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada given opportunity to stand up for justice and equality in the face of statement by Anglican Communion

Soulforce Actions:

2000 Denver - General Conference of the Episcopal Church

Related Sites:

Integrity
www.integrityusa.org

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