Episcopalian
church struggles over
same-sex issues

By Mary Adamski
Star-Bulletin

The annual convention of the Episcopal Church of Hawaii resolved to "explore how we can express our support for loving and committed relationships of gays and lesbians" in an emotional weekend meeting where members struggled not to let political polarization on the issue divide the church.

"We know what is probably the politically correct thing to do, but what is the spiritually correct thing to do?" asked the Rev. Jim Hargis of Kauai. "I am a little confused, but what is not confused is that we're very divided. We're probably not going to change hearts or minds here."

The question of how far to go in affirming support of homosexual relationships was the main issue at the gathering of about 200 delegates Friday and Saturday at St. Andrew's Cathedral. About three-fourths of the delegates were lay people.

They refused resolutions that called for approving unions between gays and lesbians, and allowing clergy to perform services recognizing such unions.

They also sidelined a measure that called for "rejecting homosexual practices as incompatible with Scriptures" and for denying ordination to people involved in same gender unions.

Episcopal Bishop Richard Chang said after the convention that he's committed to establishing discussions on the issue throughout the diocese. Though the resolution that passed overwhelmingly seems to be middle ground, he said "I think some people left today feeling hurt, some felt they have lost."

Chang said the issue arose here reflecting a controversy in the worldwide Anglican communion, not because of state politics which led to the same-gender ballot question facing local voters.

The Anglican bishops of the world met in England this summer. At that 10-year Lambeth Conference, they voted 526-70 to affirm that homosexual practice is "incompatible with Scripture" and that they "cannot advise the legitimizing or blessing of same-sex unions, nor the ordination of those involved in such unions." The bishops said the choice for Anglicans is between "faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union" or abstinence.

The Episcopal Church in America has taken an official position calling for equal rights for gays and urging federal, state and municipal governments to approve measures that give gay and lesbian couples protection in pension benefits, family and bereavement leave policies, real estate tax benefits and other rights.

Chang said that local priests may not conduct ceremonies blessing same-sex unions.

The emotion and passion of the Honolulu convention was heightened by statements on the floor by several people, including clergy, who identified themselves as gay.

"Let's put a face on it, we're talking about me," said one retired Honolulu man. He said when he hears language that hedges and calls for studies "I read this as a vote against gays and lesbians, as calling on government to disapprove of equal rights, to diminish our status. That's what it feels like to us."

Cynnie Sailey of Kona said: "God is giving us a chance to say there are no outcasts." She recalled that 25 years ago, there was similar bitter debate within the church about ordaining women with arguments, as on this issue, citing Scriptures and tradition. She said to the women priests present "when you went through that door of inclusivity, I hope you haven't closed it behind you."

The Rev. Hollis Wright was one of several who read passages from Leviticus, which refer to homosexual acts as an abomination. She pointed out that the same Old Testament book also forbade eating pork, shellfish and called for "all who curse their father or mother to be put to death."

But she asked the assembly to allow time for a process of discussion within the church. "People of my father's generation were taught about the abomination, but they weren't taught about the pork and the lobster."

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