Presbyterian Network Caters to Concerns, Sparks Women Clergy Debate

Rbagnuolo »

Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:43 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Sisters and Brothers, I appreciate the concerns outlined in this piece. As a minister of Word and Sacrament who is gay and ordained as an openly gay man, there are those who instantly choose to reject me, my call, and those who examined and cleared me. It is true that the same judgment is often rendered toward women in similar situations. And, there are other dividing lines.

In truth, I have always sought unity for the PC(USA) and the broader community of creation. Disagreement, strong disagreement sometimes, has never seemed reason enough for me to cut ourselves off from one another. I still feel that way.

What is so troubling is that G-6.0106b is seen as the "line" in our church around which we must draw sides. The debates and arguments, theologically and otherwise frequently frame it all as "an issue," the issue of homosecuality or ordination standards. What is forgotten, I think, is that this is not an "issue." This is about living, breathing members of God's creation, baptized sisters and brothers, family members and friends, who are being gravely affected by the actions of the church.

I don't believe God is calling us to marginalize one another, nor do I think God is calling us to judge. I think we are being called to get beyond the things that divide us and embrace one another in love, even those we may not particulary like or agree with. If our God is not greater than such differences, we are in bigger trouble than we think.

Peace, Ray Bagnuolo
Minister of Word and Sacrament
White Plains, NY