They saved the worst ’til last…

Tv commercials taut a slogan about Las Vegas (the home of our Presiding Bishop Elect Katharine Jefferts Schori)… “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” and wouldn’t it be great if that were also true about Columbus. Unfortunately, what happened in Columbus yesterday will have an effect around the world. The railroading through the House of Bishops and then the House of Deputies of B033 – of a moratorium on the ordination of bishops whose ‘manner of life’ might cause offence to the wider church was a shocking series of events.

Beginning the day before, the HOD (House of Deputies) overwhelmingly defeated Resolution A161, commonly known as the “moratoria” clause. My gay brothers and sisters in Integrity and their straight allies were a well-oiled machine on the HOD floor as they rose to speak against this resolution. It was amazing to watch how well orchestrated the loyal opposition was. And while it looked like an effortless process, we know from all the late-night and early morning strategizing, that it was the product of years of hard work. That night as we all celebrated this church we love so much, a handful of bishops met to rewrite A161 to be proposed in the HOB the next day.

The next morning began with +Schori’s first sermon since her election. “Jesus calls us all to be friends, not agents of fear,” she preached. For those who like short sermons, this one lasted only about 10 minutes. But it was all down hill after that. A161 was introduced to the HOB as B033. While there was some language about engaging in reconciliation and a listening process, the basis of the resolution was to agree to a moratorium on the ordination of bishops whose ‘manner of life’ might cause offence to the wider church.

“This is stupid”, grumbled +Jon Bruno (who the LA Times claims voted for it). Bishop Mike Curry of North Carolina rose and gave an eloquent dissent. Bishops Chane and Andrus tried to propose an amendment. ++Griswold was furious. It was an incredible scene as he chastised his fellow bishops for wasting time. A flustered Andrus finally withdrew his amendment. Some called for a roll call vote. ++Griswold was once again furious. He did not want to waste time. Then he delivered his threat: If you do not pass this, we will not be invited to Lambeth in 2008. He denied that the Archbishop of Canterbury had specifically make that threat, but made it clear that he felt that was the case. Fear was rampant. ++Griswold had clearly become an agent of fear. Then +Schori rose and gave her ludricious “conjoined twins” analogy. (Ask Ed to speak about this at the upcoming forum on Sunday.)   It was the capper, or closer. The vote was taken. It passed. Railroaded through the HOB on a locomotive of FEAR. “Jesus calls us all to be friends, not agents of fear.”

It was almost lunchtime but what had just taken place in the HOB had ruined everyone’s appetite. We proceeded to the HOD, assuming that during the lunch break, meetings with our floor team would allow for a strategy to defeat B033. But we were barely into the room when we heard the President of the House introduce B033. Next thing we knew, it was announced that +Schori wanted to address the house. She gave the same inane speech that she had given the HOB….the “conjoined twins” who could not live apart at this particular time. In my opinion, +Schori now had become exactly what she had preached against a few hours earlier: an agent of fear.

Then a gay deputy, whom I was told earlier that morning, was one of the smartest deputies in the House, got up and emotionally said she would vote for it. The HOD fell like a house of cards. When confronted later, many of our own contingent confessed, “I did it because +Katherine asked us to.”  Like lemmings, they jumped off the cliff.  The resolution was passed by the HOD.

Shortly afterwards, the wife of the Rev. Canon Dr. Martin Minns, one of the AAC/ACN group, slipped Susan a noted which read “ The gays and lesbians in this church have been sold out for a tea party at Lambeth.”  Sadly, she’s right.

Katie Sherrod, an Integrity member and straight supporter who lives in Fort Worth, was devastated. She’s also a journalist and producer. We talked about the shocking behavior of our presiding bishop and she told me that just before the vote in the HOB, she was on her way to the bathroom when she stumbled upon ++Griswold and a few of his minions in the hall. ++Griswold was talking into a cell phone. Then +Schori joined the group. ++Griswold handed her the cell phone. Shortly thereafter, she stood up in the HOB and gave her “conjoined twins” speech. Who was on the other end of that cell phone? We can only speculate that it was “someone high up” in the communion giving orders to pass B033 or else.

Bishop Barbara Harris provided the only comic relief in what was a terrible day. “I wouldn’t go to Lambeth if Jesus himself were there giving out $1000 dollar bills.” She said, I went once before and “if assholes had wings, Lambeth would be an airport.”

What I don’t have to speculate about was the impact of B033.  It was like having your guts torn out. Last night, the troops rallied to support one another. Ed took a group of us to dinner. He was as angry and hurt as the rest of us. How lucky are we from ASC to be able to go back where none of this really matters, where we can be who we are and be accepted and celebrated.  But after dinner, I sat in a room full of volunteers and supporters, many of whom were still weeping from the acts of earlier in the day. Some were old warriors who questioned whether or not they still should be priests. Some were young volunteers…. seminarians or would be priests….who quietly cried what seemed to be endless tears. Some were too upset to stay and took to their beds.  We talked about leaving. We talked about staying and decided that was the better option.

We were sold out. We were used as the bargaining chip to get an invitation to Lambeth. I want all those who voted yes to look into the eyes of the gay and lesbian faithful…look long and hard and close…and see what you have done. It will take years to undo the harm. I hope it was worth the price. And as we ponder that question, we must remember another sermon we heard here at GC. It was preached by +Gene Robinson at the Integrity Eucharist….words that were more prophetic than any of us realized: “No matter what they say or what they do….you must” he implored, “you must love them anyway!”