Anglican church leaders here are considering severing their ties with members of their faith in the United States who have elected an openly, gay non-celibate Bishop for the American state of New Hampshire.
Anglican Archbishop His Grace Drexel Gomez said at a press conference today that while he was not surprised that Canon Gene Robinson is now an Anglican Bishop, the same would not be welcomed in the Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands
In fact, at its annual synod, the diocese passed a unanimous resolution reaffirming their opposition to same sex unions and homosexuality. It has requested the Archbishop to seek an agreement to sever ties with dioceses or provinces that endorse the practices.
"I certainly would not have Bishop Robinson, if he is consecrated, sharing in worship in this Diocese," said Archbishop Gomez.
The Anglican leader said Episcopal Church in the United States of America is still an integral part of the worldwide Anglican community, which is composed of 38 independent provinces, but its future role is now uncertain.
He added, "Its future relationship with the communion will be very much up for grabs, because it's going to be very, very difficult to relate."ﾠ
When asked what action he would take in response to a priest within the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas blessing a same sex marriage the Archbishop had a concise response.
"If a priest does that I would take his licence immediately – immediately," Archbishop Gomez said.
Reverend Gene Robinson was elected Tuesday by 62 vites to 45 by bishops of the Episcopal Church.
Meantime, advocates for gay and lesbian rights here are hitting back at the Catholic Church's position on homosexual unions and recent comments from local religious leaders about it.
In a statement that directly responded to the Vatican's recent position on gay marriages, the group noted that the church is relating to this issue with outdated perceptions and interpretations which it says will have to give way to new theological understandings and perspectives.
"What we are dealing with is a simple matter of justice, the right of every human being to dignity, to equal protection under the law, the right to live without discrimination regardless of race, gender, physical ability, religious or political affiliation, regardless of sexual orientation," the statement from the Rainbow Alliance said.
The alliance is forged between activists who are lobbying for an end to discrimination against homosexuals.
Last week the Vatican blasted gay marriages and said there was absolutely no grounds for considering the unions even remotely close to God's plan for marriage.
"Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go against the natural moral law," the Vatican document said.
The stance drew dismay from opponents who said it ran against human rights conventions and is out of touch with the modern world and came a day after U.S. President George Bush – a Methodist Christian – spoke out against the idea of same sex marriages as church leaders met in Minneapolis to debate the appointment of a gay bishop.
It also drew a scathing response here.
"It is not surprising," said the Alliance, "that the Catholic Church has chosen not to uphold the rights of gay and lesbian persons, since it has historically and systematically over many centuries been responsible for the oppression of women and indigenous people throughout the world."
What gay rights leaders have pointed out is that it is deeply disappointing that the Church continues to lag behind in its support of and solidarity with human rights struggles, "preferring to side with convention rather than the real lives of human beings."
Renewed commentary on the issue came on Tuesday, the same day that Anglican church leaders in the United States were forced to open an inquiry into allegations against a priest who was poised to become the first openly gay bishop.
The vote to confirm Canon Gene Robinson as a bishop in New Hampshire was delayed two hours before it was to have taken place when allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made public against him.
The Bahama Journal
