THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE DEED is done. Gene Robinson has been made bishop. I, like most Christians, am greatly distressed by this development. The Americans have by this act put the ugly face of arrogance on display. Once again right has been defined as what the Americans want regardless of what man or God might think. This might be an immediate problem for my Anglican brothers, but it has great implications for the wider church.
Gene Robinson did not become a bishop out of nowhere. He was a priest for several years, and no less homosexual. I am unaware of any action against him by the Episcopals for this. Was it OK for him to be a homosexual priest but not a bishop? Authentic Christianity must confront these ungodly practices within its bosom. Failure to deal with issues like these in a thorough manner opens the Church to charges of hypocrisy. This one has grown into a monster because of this failure, and now defies the Church's attempts to disown it. It also makes it more difficult to deal with other such cases.
What if Robinson had been a declared fornicator or adulterer, living with a woman instead of a homosexual living with a man? The Bible is clear that church leaders must be above reproach, and also condemns adultery and fornication. It equally makes clear that the male/female relationship is the gold standard.
By the same measure everywhere condemns homosexuality as an abomination. Robinson's claim to be called by God to be bishop shows a breathtaking contempt of God's holiness and his requirements of his people. That he holds this view is bad enough, but he didn't select himself. What is one to make of a denomination that so flagrantly contravenes the requirements of the God they claim to serve?
What about other homosexual or adulterous priests or church officials? Episcopalians don't have a monopoly on these. Surely the Church is aware that it exposes itself to ridicule when it appears to accommodate them in high office?
I am, etc.,
MICHAEL NICHOLSON
8 Liguanea Ave
Kingston 6
