Recommended

Chicago Bishop Election Avoids Widening Anglican Rift

The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago avoided deepening the rift over homosexuality within the Anglican Communion on Saturday when it elected the Rev. Jeffrey Lee as its twelfth bishop.

There were seven candidates for the position, including the Rev. Tracy Lind, the openly lesbian dean of Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland.

Had Lind been elected, she would have been the second openly homosexual Episcopal bishop after V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.

Get Our Latest News for FREE

Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.

It was the 2003 consecration of Robinson that drove the worldwide Anglican Communion to the point of schism, pitting more liberal-leaning Episcopalians against traditionalists, who favor a conservative interpretation of Scripture.

The election of another openly homosexual bishop would have likely deepened the divisions within the Anglican Communion.

Lee, the new Chicago Bishop, is regarded as a moderate. In a statement given to 500 delegates before the vote, Lee said he wanted to keep conversation going with conservatives on gay clergy but at the same time supported "the full inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the church."

Earlier this year, The Episcopal Church said it would "exercise restraint" in choosing more gay bishops after intense pressure from conservative leaders in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Lee supported the decision by The Episcopal Church, writing that he had a "deep desire to keep the conversation going forward at the international level."

"He (Lee) would be perceived as someone who is qualified for the job, but not polarizing as other candidates might have been," commented the Rev. Canon Mike Stephenson of the Diocese of Chicago, according to the Associated Press.

Lee was the rector of St. Thomas Church in Medina, Wash., and was elected on the second ballot, comfortably surpassing the required 308 clergy and lay votes with 337.

Lind came in fourth on both ballots, receiving just 16 votes of clergy and lay people in the second ballot in which Lee was elected.

In Lee's statement, the reverend said that his church supported the inclusion of gays and lesbians, but did not exclude members who disagree with that stance.

"I make it clear that I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but as a leader I have a duty to articulate my own understanding of what God may be calling the church to do," he said.

According to AP, Lee said that he was "honored and humbled" by the appointment. His consecration ceremony is slated for Feb. 2, 2008.

Outgoing Bishop William Persell said that many of the delegates who voted where aware that voting for Lind would have sparked controversy.

He also said that "this election should not be seen as a vote against a gay or lesbian person" and that the Diocese of Chicago was as committed as ever to full inclusion of lesbians and gays.

Was this article helpful?

Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage.

Most Popular

More Articles