Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!OWUCOMCN!LHARANGO
From: LHARANGO@OWUCOMCN (Lauren Arango)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Subject: RE: Fire!
Message-ID: <CHRISTIA%90011202551288@FINHUTC>
Date: 12 Jan 90 00:54:00 GMT
Sender: Practical Christian Life <CHRISTIA@FINHUTC>
Reply-To: Practical Christian Life <CHRISTIA@FINHUTC>
Lines: 42
Approved: NETNEWS@PSUVM Gateway
Original_To:  CHRISTIA


Eric also posted his message on the Bible Study list, and I sent the
following message in response.  Since he has posted the same message
to CHRISTIA, I'd like to post my same response here as well:

As a member of the denomination that just ordained a gay priest, I feel
as though I'd like to make a few remarks, since Eric brought up the
subject.

First of all, I have no idea whether or not the ordained person in
question is a *practicing* homosexual.  I personally see nothing wrong
with a priest being homosexual *if* he/she is celibate.  Being homosexual
is not a sin; committing homosexual acts is (in my opinion).

If the priest in question is a practicing homosexual, then I (and I'm
sure *many* other Episcopalians) do not agree with what the Bishop of
New Jersey did (in ordaining this priest).  Our own Bishop Black of
the Diocese of Southern Ohio wrote a letter condemning the ordination.

The Episcopal Church isn't perfect.  I personally wish it would take a
much stronger stand against abortion.  But I feel that I can be much
more effective by staying in the church and working to change it from
within, rather than getting upset and leaving.

I just wanted to let everyone know that just because someone is a member
of a particular denomination doesn't mean that that person agrees with
*all* the decisions made by those within the church hierarchy.

                                God's peace,
                                Lauren

P.S.  I'd also like to pass on an idea that I sent to Eric privately when
he responded to my message.  I think it probably took a lot of courage for
that priest to openly admit his homosexuality, since his ordination would
most certainly be called into question, and he had a very good chance of
*not* being ordained.  Now that's not what happened, but he didn't know
how things would turn out....and I have to admire someone who values truth
and honesty over his own personal career/gain.  I have no idea how this
man reconciles his homosexuality with the Bible, but I can see he has
integrity.  It would have been *so* easy for him to just keep quiet about
his sexual orientation....and yet he chose not to.  I just thought I'd
mention that, for everyone to think about....