March 1977 [HTML]

INTEGRITY

GAY EPISCOPAL FORUM

c Integrity 1977 ISSN: 0095-2184

Vol. 3 No. 5 March 1977

INTEGRITY: GAY EPISCOPAL FORUM is the official newsletter of Integrity, Inc., a nonprofit religious, charitable, educational, and literary organization of Gay Episcopalians and our friends. Integrity, Inc. maintains a national office with The Rev. Ron Wesner, President, 5014 Willows Avenue, Phila., PA 19143, tele. 215-748-2118. Membership and subscription correspondence should be sent to Forum Business Manager, Dave Williams, INTEGRITY, P.O. Box 891, Oak Park, IL 60303, tele 312-386-1470. Editorial correspondence should be sent to Louie Crew, 701 Orange Street, No. 6, Fort Valley, GA 31030, tele. 912-825-7287.

Signed articles represent the views of the contributors. The editors reserve the right to revise all sexist language.

Copyright 1977 by Integrity, Inc. 10 issues per year. Membership subscriptions are $10; subscriptions without membership are $12. Add $3 for all subscriptions that require plain envelopes; Canadians add $2 if paying in Canadian currency. Couple rates are $13 for one newsletter.

President................................ The Rev. Ron Wesner

Vice President................................. John Lawrence

Secretary...................................... Donn Mitchell

Treasurer............................. The Rev. John Lenhardt

Editor............................................ Louie Crew

Publisher..................................... David Williams

Trustees: Ernest Clay, Louie Crew, Julie Peterson,

The Rev. Richard Younge

Consultants:The Rev. Malcolm Boyd, The Rev. Robert W. Cromey, The Rev. Norman Pittenger

A GAY COLLECT FOR LENT

God, give us wisdom to understand our sinfulness and the strength to repent. Deliver us from the idolatry of accepting the world's image of us as less than your children. Deliver us from despairing at the long delay of justice, and make us to be free and happy laborers working for your coming. Teach us new guilt when we have failed to treat each other with love, and teach us to turn the wilderness of the world's hate into space for spiritual growth. Steady us for the pain as they smite our other cheek that we might be a witness to your love for the smiter as well as for the smited. AMEN

BISHOP McGEHEE CELEBRATES WITH INTEGRITY

B'ham, MI. On 4th December the Rt. Rev. H. Coleman McGehee, Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan celebrated the Mass here with INTEGRIty of Metropolitan Detroit, at the Church of the Nativity.

Bp. McGehee has long been a supporter of Gay rights in the Church and the society, and has led all diocesan bishops in supporting a resolution on behalf of Gays (see Bp. McGehee's address in Forum, January 1976, pp. 7-8).

In an interview with Metro Gay News for January, Bishop McGehee was asked whether he has been subject to criticism for his support of Gays within the Church: "He replied that he receives three or four letters per week on this subject -- usually unsigned ‑‑ but added that he believes that attitudes ln the diocese are slowly changing and there is a great deal more openness today to discuss homosexuality than there was even three years ago. He attributed much of this progress to the efforts of Episcopal Gays such as Jim Toy [organizer of INTEGRITY/Detroit] ... who has visited parishes and discussed Gay concerns."

Fr. Michael Gowing was co-organizer of INTEGRITY/Detroit in November 1975. Bill Giles is the current convenor of the very active chapter.

INTEGRITY-DIGNITY/RICHMOND IN THE NEWS

Richmond. Mary Anne Pikrone, writing for Richmond News Leader (Jan. 22, 1977, p. 3) devoted 35 column inches to discussing the work and growth of INTEGRITY-DIGNITY/Richmond, under the headline: "AREA HOMOSEXUALS FIND SUPPORT IN SEARCH OF CHURCH ACCEPTANCE." Especially featured were positive comments by the group's two leaders and spiritual advisors, Br. Arthur Caliman, co-director of the Campaign for Human Development of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, and the Rev. Edward M. "Pope" Gregory, vicar of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Richmond. The ecumenical group has met with both the Most Rev. Walter F. Sullivan, Catholic bishop, and The Rt. Rev. Robert B. Hall, Episcopal Bishop of Virginia, both of whom have been supportive.

INTEGRITY VICE-PRESIDENT ON DIOCESAN COMMISSION

Boston. The Rt. Rev. John Coburn, Bishop of Massachusetts, has named John C. Lawrence to the Diocesan Commission on Human Sexuality. Lawrence is vice-president of INTEGRITY/National. He was informed: "It is our belief that your interest and skills would add a great deal to the effectiveness of this Commission."

INTEGRITY'S THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION TO BE IN PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia. INTEGRITY's Third Annual Convention will convene here on Thursday through Sunday, 25-28 August, 1977. Members are urged to mark these dates and to plan to attend.

There will be outstanding speakers, informative panels, and fun for all.

Interested persons should contact the Dean of the Convention, Donald R. Bentley, at INTEGRITY/Philadelphia, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 3601 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104. More details will be forthcoming in future issues of Forum.

ACKNOWLEDGED GAYS BANNED FROM THE NEW JOINT

COMMISSION ON HEALTH AND HUMAN AFFAIRS

NYC. The Presiding Bishop and Dr. Charles Lawrence, the president of the Episcopal House of Deputies, have refused to appoint a single openly Gay Episcopalian to the new Joint Commission on Health and Human Affairs, the body charged by the General Convention in Minneapolis to study human sexuality and to report to the next General Convention in Denver in 1979.

The two leaders of the Church have appointed The Rt. Rev. Robert Spears, Jr., to chair the Commission.

Dr. Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse, celebrated opponent of Gay Christians, has been appointed as one of the members of the Commission. Her book attacking Gays is being published by the Church, at Seabury in April. Dr. Barnhouse views homosexuality as immaturity and illness and also as doctrinally dangerous, part of what she calls a symbolic confusion. Her diagnosis was specifically rejected by her medical peers three years ago, by votes in the American Psychiatric Association and in the American Psychological Association.

Members of the defunct Commission on the Church in Affairs, the last body charged with this responsibility, had stated to INTEGRITY last January that they felt a need for Gay members on the new Commission.

Dr. Lawrence wrote INTEGRITY (see Forum for Feb. 77) that he was "mindful of the necessity of the Commission's report being credible to the Church as a whole."

A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

As you may have noticed, Forum is now being sent for the most part via bulk mail. The delivery time on this mail is approximately 2-1/2 weeks from the time that it is delivered to the post office. Because of the extreme delay, if possible I would appreciate your renewing your subscription when you receive the first notice (YOUR SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRES WITH NEXT ISSUE. PLEASE RENEW NOW), as speedy renewal facilitates matters at my end.

Also, if you have sent in your renewal and receive a second expiration notice, don't panic: it will be processed and there is no need for you to write me about it.

Finally, please let me know your new address in advance if at all possible, as the post office charges 25¢ per subscription for supplying this information.

David Williams

NEW CHAPTER ACTIVE IN SOUTHERN OHIO

Columbus. At the Diocesan Convention of Southern Ohio here in November it was announced that Mr. Jay Friend is the convenor of a new INTEGRITY chapter. The Rev. Tom Timmons, Rector of Trinity in London, OH, is the group's Chaplain. Other members of the Steering Committee are Mr. and Mrs. Worley Rodehaver and the Rev. Wayland Melon, all of Cincinnati.

According to Friend, the chapter will operate on a diocesan rather than a local basis. Eventually there will be an INTEGRITY Chaplain in each of the major cities of the diocese.

The Rt. Rev. John M. Krumm, Bishop of Southern Ohio, has agreed to meet with representatives of the new group soon, and INTEGRITY president, Fr. Ron Wesner, hopes to be present for that occasion.

INTEGRITY/CHICAGO SPONSORS READING COURSE

Chicago. The INTEGRITY chapter here will be cooperating with Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics to offer a 7-week speed-reading course this spring. This course will be available at a special reduced tuition. Free introductory "mini-lessons" will be given at a time and place to be announced. For further information write to INTEGRITY/Chicago, P.0. Box 2516, Chicago 60690 or telephone Tom Cain at 235-1996 or 383-8359.

PROFESSOR BYRNE FONE AT INTEGRITY/NYC

NYC. Dr. Byrne Fone, Associate Professor of English at City College, CUNY, has begun a series of discussions of "The Literary Tradition of Gay People" at meetings of INTEGRITY/NYC, following the weekly Eucharists.

Fone teaches 18th-century and American literature and is working on a book, The Homosexual Imagination and Literary Tradition.

Fone is also one of 27 scholars to have an essay in the collection The Gay Academic, edited by Forum's Louie Crew, due out in May 1977.

At another Mass earlier in February, President The Rev. Ron Wesner was the homilist for the NYC chapter, as well as a speaker in the gathering after the service.

McCAULEY ET AL. DEFECT FOR ROME

Boston. Former Convenor of INTEGRITY/Boston Joe McCauley and his friend Frank Morgan have joined their priest The Rev. John Upson and their curate Fr. Jim Dutton in leaving the Episcopal Church for the Roman Catholic.

Frs. Upson and Dutton explained their decision in a letter to the Episcopal parish of St. John the Evangelist from which they resigned: "Although the vote to ordain women precipitated our move, it was by no means the only cause. Ironically neither of us is actually opposed to women's ordination, but we cannot accept the Episcopal Church's right to go ahead on its own and make this major change.... We can no longer function in a body we do not believe to be part of the Catholic Church."

Fr. Dutton's article "Some Hard Questions on Sexuality" appeared in the May 1976 issue of Forum. Fr. Upson has also preached more openness and love towards Gay people.

Interestingly, Dr. Ruth Tiffany Barnhouse is also a member at St. John the Evangelist. By contrast she approves the action to ordain women in the Episcopal Church but roundly opposes any kindnesses or acceptance of Gays who are not on her psychiatric couch struggling to affirm her claims that she can cure them.

PRINTER REFUSES FORUM'S BUSINESS

Berwyn, IL. Presto Printers here has refused to print any more issues of Forum in protest against the Fred Ello drawing on page 11 of the January issue.

Ello's drawing depicted two nude males sitting at the feet of a fully clothed Christ.

Several members have protested the drawing as well. One called it a "tasteless cartoon" and The Integer, published by INTEGRITY/Chicago, said: "We did [disapprove] too, on purely artistic principles: good taste is a better censor."

INTEGRITY/Boston discussed the drawing as one example of many items in Forum "that many of us cannot relate to as Gay Christians" (see full letter of John Lawrence, on p. 5 of this issue).

Informed of the controversy, artist Fred Ello commented: "I'm flattered that Forum used my drawing. I well understand nude figures may offend some of the readers. Personally, I think that a lot of what passes as Christian sexuality may be more Manichaean than Christian.... I admire Forum for its honesty, originality, and acumen. A lot of the 'secular,' commercial Gay editorializing is actually 'clerical,' and I shy away from reading it."

Forum editor encourages all to share their views on this subject. Meanwhile, we have had no trouble finding another Illinois printer for our issues.

PRIEST'S HUSTLER FOUND GUILTY

Minneapolis. Fr. James Kilpatrick, vicar of St. John's in Center, TX was murdered here while attending General Convention. On 12th January 1977 a male hustler named Daniel Lee Moe, 17, pleaded guilty to the stabbing of Kilpatrick on 11th September 1976.

According to reports in the Minneapolis Tribune:

Moe told Hennepin County District Judge Chester Durda that he had been drinking and smoking hashish before meeting Mr. Kilpatrick. He said the two got into an argument in a room at the Andrews Hotel, 4th St. and Hennepin Ave., where Mr. Kilpatrick's body was found about 4:45 a.m.

"He started pulling my hair and we started struggling," Moe said. "He picked up a knife and cut me on the hand and leg. Then he dropped the knife."

The youth said he then picked up the knife and "I hit him until he fell. I was trying to think about what happened. My mind was really going fast."

Mr. Kilpatrick was stabbed a dozen times, according to John Brink, an assistant county attorney.

Moe did not say why the argument began or why he was in the priest's room. But according to a criminal complaint filed in October against Moe, the youth told police when they arrested him that "He (Mr. Kilpatrick) picked me up, man; he wanted sex, man; and he started stabbing me." The complaint also quoted Moe as telling a friend that "Can you believe that a reverend would attack me?"

Although indicted for second-degree murder, Moe was allowed through plea-bargaining to make his plea guilty of third-degree murder. Judge Chester Durda sentenced him to from one to 25 years at St. Cloud Reformatory.

Fr. Kilpatrick is survived by his wife Margaret and their three children. Bishop James Richardson flew home from General Convention to conduct the funeral. Fr. Kilpatrick was not a member of INTEGRITY.

RUNNING WITH MALCOLM BOYD

San Francisco. Since his coming out at the INTEGRITY Convention here last summer, Fr. Malcolm Boyd has generously given of his time to local Gay groups around the country, meeting with most INTEGRITY chapters, secular Gay groups, and wherever, sharing the joy of his witness.

On 29th January he was again here in San Francisco for the Annual Dinner of the Council on Religion and the Homosexual, as featured speaker.

The Advocate for the same week (dated 26th January) carried Fr. Boyd's two page article "An Ambiguous Synthesis: Gay Religious Consciousness," an item many will want to share with chapters and with sexuality commissions.

Meanwhile, Liberation (Box 687, Arlington 22216), a publication of Guy Charles's group claiming to cure Gay "sinners," has vilified Fr. Boyd as "a Gay notable" and called for prayers for money to combat INTEGRITY "propaganda."

CALL FOR TESTIMONIALS

Forum editor Louie Crew urges all members to prepare one-two page personal testimonials of their experience as Gay persons, particularly of their experience of the Church in response or non-response to this dimension of their lives.

Such testimonials will be collected for possible circulation as a booklet to various Church national and diocesan study groups and to members who are trying to inform local parishes.

Such a booklet could also be useful to other denominations.

Forum would also like to be able to quote from this material occasionally.

Those sending in the materials should note thereon whether they require a pseudonym, as well as any other restrictions as to the use of the material. Obviously, the more that you can share of your own background, the more persuasive some statements will be, as in "A priest from Nevada writes," "A warden ln Maine writes," etc.

FR. VERMILYE'S LICENSE REVOKED

Winchester, TN. Fr. Claudius I. Vermilye, accused of operating a pornographic ring at his Boys Farm, Inc., near here, has had his license revoked by the Diocese of Tennessee, according to The Blade.

Vermilye has insisted on his innocence (see Forum, Feb. 77, p. 1; also for December, pp. 4-5), and his attorneys have asked for a change of venue, preferably "to Australia" because of the intense publicity that has been given nationally to the case.

Vermilye remains canonically resident in the Diocese of Georgia, and has not been deposed.

PROTEST OF ORDINATION EXCLUSION

NYC. On 15th January members of DIGNITY/NYC and friends joined Thomas Sweetin to protest the decision to exclude Mr. Sweetin from ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood because of his sexual orientation.

The group gathered in front of The Jesuit Provincial's residence in the Bronx for a peaceful protest.

The group released a press statement claiming that "the Provincial's decision was influenced by stands such as those given in the Vatican's recent document, 'Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics [see Forum, Jan. 77, p. 2],' contemptuously called 'the V.D.' by the Gay community.

"While Rome fiddles, Gay people burn, are murdered, and deprived of their rights.... We suffer and are persecuted by generations of homophobic breeding indecision by the Church. The reason for this demonstration is to call attention not only to this example of ecclesiastical cowardice, but all the others that American Roman Catholics, both Gay and straight, suffer under."

SUBJECTS SOUGHT FOR COHABITATION STUDY

Phila. Ellen Kozac and Wayne A. Grosnick (1013 South Allen Street, Apt. 108, State College, PA 16801) are comparing the lifestyles of cohabiting homosexual couples with cohabiting heterosexual couples. Eighty Gay couples, 40 male and 40 female, are needed to comprise the sample; and the study will be conducted in April in the Philadelphia area. The study is endorsed by the Gay Nurses Alliance.

CREW NAMED IN DIRECTORY OF POETS

NYC. Forum editor Louie Crew has been notified of his inclusion in the Directory of American Poets, a project funded in part by National Endowment for the Arts.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR THE INTEGRITY AWARD

Philadelphia. Fr. Ron Wesner, President of INTEGRITY/National, has asked all members to consider nominating persons to receive the annual INTEGRITY award, always presented at our national conventions in the summer.

Fr. Wesner will appoint four INTEGRITY members from around the country to serve anonymously on the selection committee. The deadline for nominations is 1st May, and they should be sent to Fr. Wesner, 5014 Willows Ave., Phila, PA 19143.

It is the intention to give two awards this year, one to a man and one to a woman. The awards honor "outstanding contributions to the Christian understanding of human sexuality." Co-recipients in 1975 were The Rev. Dr. Norman Pittenger and Louie Crew. The recipient in 1976 was Ms. Barbara Gittings.

JUST QUEERS! JUST NIGGERS!

Tucson. Superior Court Judge Ben C. Birdsall here has sentenced to mere probation the four teenage murderers who beat to death a Gay activist visiting here last summer.

The judge took an hour and a half to explain that these murderers are not typical, but are good students who have never even used marijuana.

Their crime occurred when Richard Heakin, 21, walked out of Stonewall tavern just to take a walk. Rolling queers had become a pastime locally.

The local newspaper noted in protest that the same court has given heavy sentences to other murderers of Gays ln the past, once even a sentence of 30-60 years, but the murderers then were Blacks. In Tucson white kids who do not smoke marijuana can murder Gays with impunity.

GAY EVANGELICALS BRAVE THE URBANA HOMOPHOBIA

Urbana. The collegiate evangelical giant Inter-Varsity Missionary Convention held here in December was visited by stalwart Gay Christians in Evangelicals Concerned.

Led by Dr. Ralph Blair, the small group stood in sub-zero weather as the 16,000 delegates came out of the Assembly Hall following an address by Billy Graham, passing out a simple pamphlet for a "Gay Ministers' Workshop."

Dr. Blair reports: "One man ... apparently read enough to turn back and tear up his copy in my face.... Another, saying he was an IV staffer, demanded that we give him all our pamphlets or face arrest. I told him we had only one copy for each person. He came more insistent and was last seen scurrying off in the direction of the Assembly Hall for a 'higher up.'"

MCC ON SEXIST LANGUAGE

All congregations of MCC have reportedly received a directive urging them to eliminate any sexist language from their services. The directive requires that either masculine gender references to God are balanced by feminine gender references or else should be eliminated altogether.

MCC REJECTED BY MASS. COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Framingham, MA. According to Episcopal Diocesan Press Service, Metropolitan Community Church of Boston, specializing in ministry to homosexuals, has been rejected for membership in the Massachusetts Council of Churches by a unanimous vote of the board of directors. The board did not elaborate on the reason for the rejection, but at the same meeting urged a further study of the ethics of sexuality. The Rev. Canon W. David Crockett of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts was elected president of the council at the annual meeting.

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GOD LOVES NONGAYS TOO!

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A PASTORAL LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT

In view of the heat about Ellen Barrett's ordination, let us remind each other that this heat is a necessary part of the loving revolution and must and can be endured. I am getting distressed calls and letters from people around the country who are afraid that the world is falling apart because of the reaction to the ordination. It was a blessed event -- with many lesbian having a rare affirmation from the Church -- and will prove to be an important part of the building up of good things.

I would like to share some comments about our efforts to educate nonGays in parishes. First, we must be educated ourselves. We must read and talk with each other enough to be able to reflect with articulate excellence on the experience of growing up Gay in America and in the Episcopal Church. Second, we must speak from love and hope, not from anger and rage. We are addressing people who are not hostile, but who are frightened. They are frightened because they are seeing old perspectives challenged and they don't know what the hell is going tm take the place of those old views. We have a new and different perspective; and it is valid, but its validity will show only if we trust it to have its own strength, rather than spice it up with our own rage. Our anger is effective if it is used as one would a starter motor on a car ‑‑ we can get things going with it, but we cannot run on it or we shall burn out much too soon. The Holy Spirit is with us and is guiding us, providing the energy. Without that we shouldn't even begin, but we do have the Holy Spirit -- or rather, are owned by her/him. Also we must reflect on the richness of sexuality and sexual orientation. Provide an atmosphere of affirmation for the same-sex affections which most of us have experienced, and yet which most of us fear. We must affirm our sexuality, with the freedom to act or not to act on it, so that we can ready ourselves to experience God's variety. When we are afraid of our sexuality, we cannot hear the affirmation of the Holy Spirit.

We need more than tired rhetoric. People can get that from a book. Realize that the Incarnation is still a valid model of change. God tried to get across his love through all sorts of ways, and then he came as a person, and his personhood made the difference. So also it is with us. We can let our humanity and presence and health which come from affirmation say much more than tired words and pat phrases.

Pitfalls to avoid: jumping into the fundamentalist pit with fundamentalists. Don't try to best them at their own game. If you were to, all you would do is silence them. Rather, be aware of the prooftexts, and then speak of and from an informed experience in relationship with the Good News, God's affirmation of all people through Jesus Christ. Troy Perry's approach may work for him, and for that I bless him, but I have yet to meet an Episcopalian who uses that rhetoric who does not look like a professor in drag.

Watch your language we indicate a lot of our perceptions by the language we use: avoid words like tolerance. We need to ask for tolerance only if there is something wrong with us, a handicap or some other inadequacy. We show a lack of pride when we ask for tolerance. Avoid also the phrases that indicate "we protest too much." We are not advocating that homosexuality is in any way preferable to heterosexuality, but rather that homosexual and heterosexual expression are appropriate for the person who finds either as a primary drive.

Lastly, don't limit the Holy Spirit's effect by having a narrow imagination. We are our own worst enemies when we tell each other things like "not in our lifetime" or "that's really hoping for too much," or when we do nothing but collect examples of oppression and ignore the models of growth and health and courage which we have available to us.

I hope my reflections are helpful to you. They are rather sermonic, but I trust that beyond that they are a good place to prepare the loving attack.

FACES (For Anne Frank)

by Susan Saxe

I was not born a warrior,

I was not bred for courage,

but there are some things I do know.

They say there was a look

on the face of each one.

Some, naked, hands in the air,

glared defiance,

some, as they were rounded up,

kept their hope‑‑it showed,

some were grim with fear,

some hated,

some were dead already

in their disbelief.

A woman who survived recalls

that living death came first,

and froze their tears, their hope,

their dignity. They "lost their face,"

and died.

But Anne, you kept your face until the end.

They say you cried that time

you saw the children standing in the rain. They say

your tears still came each time

you saw the ovens smoke. They say

each time another grief

was heaped upon the last, you cried.

No others could.

You saw the full horror, but your eyes

would not die.

You starved and sickened, but your spirit

would not be diminished.

Death stiffened your body,

but it never touched your heart.

I was not born a warrior,

I was not bred for courage,

but there are some things I do know.

I have seen the bland faces

of death's technicians,

heard their smug excuses,

the Newspeak of automated plundering.

I have seen a people, my own,

sicken with guilt, hopelessness,

cynicism sloshes, acid in our guts.

Tricked and victimized, we live

in a dream.

The old are masters of comprise;

the young learn soon to acquiesce.

I have seen the burnt out stalks of their resistance,

and question still the limits of my own.

I was not born a warrior,

I was not bred for courage,

but there are some things I do know.

That I will fight them

to the limits of my endurance

and beyond,

and that I would a hundred times

go kicking and screaming to the ovens before I'd bear

the grinning stigma of such quick complicity.

I was not born a warrior,

I was not bred for courage,

but there are some things, Anne, I do know.

_________________________________

FORUM

PECUSA is in a state of heresy. I am leaving to join the one true Church. I do not wish any further correspondence from your organization.

Name withheld.

I hope that somehow INTEGRITY can continue for both Episcopal groups -- the Apostate group and the traditional.

Fr. Bill

As you may know, I am not ln favor of the ordination of women. But in spite of that fact, I am pretty damn proud of Ellen Barrett. I wish I could be in favor of women priests, for then my rejoicing would be complete.

Allen

This morning I stood by heartbroken as most of the members of my parish church -- many of whom have encouraged me in what I feel is a vocation to the priesthood -- lined up to sign a petition protesting the ordination of the Rev. Ellen Marie Barrett, not on the grounds of her sex, but because of her sexuality. Now though, I think I understand what Oscar Wilde meant when he wrote: "How else but through a broken heart/May Lord Christ enter in?"

I have been shaken out of the complacency which has allowed me to stand by as the clergy of my parish have foisted their opinions on a laity whom the clergy have done nothing to inform about the differing opinions on the issue of the ordination of women and of homosexuals. I have made an appointment to talk with.... Please enroll me as a member....

James

This is a true saying, worthy to be received. In a certain parish in the Diocese of Toronto a priest who is a noted animal lover published the banns of marriage between his dog and a bitch belonging to one of his parishioners. Should I hear that the actual blessed marriage ceremony or some other form of "holy union" took place for these two canines, I shall advise you. This bitch regularly and the priest's dog infrequently attend worship services.

Of course, if heterosexual canines can be joined in a blessed ceremony, how much more pleasing it would be in God's sight for two human homosexuals to have God's blessing on their love.

I thought that eccentric parsons only lived on the other side of the Atlantic.

Paul

Forum ... was discussed at one of our [Boston chapter] meetings. The major issue was some of the collects and pictures (Jan. issue) which we do not generally feel comfortable within terms of our mission to nonGay churchpeople, but more importantly that many of us cannot relate to as Gay Christians. There are, of course, varying opinions, and I cannot speak totally for everyone except to express what seemed to be something of a consensus.

John Lawrence, Vice-President

INTEGRITY/National

(In the Feb. issue on p. 5, correspondent named Thor accused Fr. Richard Younge of reckless exaggeration in his earlier estimate that "the most significant thing that General Convention did as to restate (and reform) the official teaching of the Episcopal Church regarding Gay people." Here follows Fr. Younqe's response to Thor's attack.)

First of all, my defense need not be very spirited since I don't think there's much difference of perception between me and Thor. I've been to too many diocesan conventions -- and that in a "liberal" diocese -- to believe that the courage of Church history is radically altered by the passing of resolutions. They are, I agree, more often than not liberalism posing as liberation. But I also remember the tongue-ln-cheek statement in the preface to 1066 and All That that "history is what you remember." In that sense General Convention was memorable: people will now remember that the Episcopal Church recently said something good about faggots, and that's different from what it's been saying (or not saying!) up till now. The niceties of whether this is dogma ex cathedra or a constitutional or canonical change or simply a good liberal, good PR resolution will escape most Episcopalians and nonEpiscopalians alike.

The usefulness of the resolution lies, as stated, in the support and sanction which it offers for Churchpeople who want to cooperate with its intent. Beyond that it is useful because those who don't want to cooperate with its intent can now be challenged by an official statement of the Episcopal Church -- and if General Convention ain't official, what in heaven's name is?! Instead of Gay people having to explain why they should receive the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern of the Church, ecclesiastical homophobes will have to explain why Gays shouldn't. And that's why, in my opinion, this was the most significant thing General Convention did in this area -- not the most significant thing it could have done, mind you, but the most significant thing it did. If that perception leads to disappointment, disillusionment, and frustration, it will only be because we think the war is over. It isn't, as I think I said. But it is equally a misconception to think that nothing has changed. The dialogue during the past year, INTEGRITY's witness before and during the convention, the pious opinion and hope expressed in the resolution, and the willingness of GC to deal even in this limited way with the issue of Gay Christians is cause for rejoicing and gratitude. If we can't see that, we are surely deaf, dumb, and blind to the Holy Spirit.

The Rev. Richard Younge

UNTO CAESARS RENDER

DC. The Rev. R. Adam DeBaugh, Social Action Director of MCC's political presence here, has advised Forum that H.R. 451, the national Gay civil rights bill (identical to last year's Abzub bill) is about to be introduced (on 16th Feb., 1977) in Congress. Already there are fourteen co-sponsors.

Pat Miller, an MCC volunteer, kindly collected for us the names of Episcopal members of Congress:

EPISCOPAL SENATORS

Theodore F. Steven, Rep. of Alaska

Barry Goldwater, Rep. of Arizona

Floyd Haskell, Dem. of Colorado

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., Rep. of Connecticut

William V. Roth, Jr., Rep. of Delaware

Spark Matsunga, Dem. of Hawaii

William D. Hathaway. Dem. of Maine

Charles McC. Mathias, Rep. of Maryland

Edward W. Brooke, Rep. of Massachusetts

John Danforth, Rep. of Missouri

H. John Heinz 3rd, Rep. of Pennsylvania

Claiborne Pell, Dem. of Rhode Island

John H. Chafee, Rep. of Rhode Island

Harry F. Byrd, Jr., Indep. of Virginia

William Proxmire, Dem. of Wisconsin

Clifford P. Hansen, Rep. of Wyoming

EPISCOPAL REPRESENTATIVES

Walter Flowers, Dem., 7 C.D. (Congressional District) of Alabama Don Young, Rep. At Large. Alaska

Bill Alexander, Dem., 1st C.D., Arkansas

John J. McFall, Dem., 14th C.D., California

Wm. M. Ketchum, Rep., 18th C.D., California

Barry M. Goldwater, Jr., Rep., 20th C.D., California

Glenn M. Anderson, Dem., 32nd C.D., California

Lionel Van Deerlin, Dem., 42nd C.D., California

Timothy E. Wirth, Dem., 2nd C.D., Colorado

Stewart B. McKinney, Rep., 4th C.D., Connecticut

Thomas B. Evans, Jr., Rep., At Large, Delaware

Andrew Ireland, Dem., 8th C.D., Florida

John T. Myers, Rep., 7th C.D., Indiana

James Leach, Rep., 1st C.D., Iowa

W. Henson Moore, Rep., 6th C.D., Louisiana

Goodloe E. Byron, Dem., 6th C.D. of Maryland

Parren J. Mitchell, Dem., 7th C.D. of Maryland

Gerry E. Studds, Dem., 12th C.D., Massachusetts

Harold Sawyer, Rep., 5th C.D., Michigan

Bob Traxler, Dem., 8th C.D., Michigan

G. V. Montgomery, Dem., 3rd C.D., Mississippi

Richard Bolling, Dem., 5th C.D., Missouri

Wm. J. Hughes, Dem., 2nd C.D., New Jersey

John W. Wydler, Rep., 5th C.D., New York

Hamilton Fish, Jr., Rep., 25th C.D., New York

Edward W. Pattison, Dem., 29th C.D., New York

Stephen J. Neal, Dem., 5th C.D., New York

Mark Andrews, Rep., At Large, North Dakota

Thomas L. Ashley, Dem., 9th C.D., Ohio

Ralph S. Regula, Rep., 16th C.D., Ohio

Mickey Edwards, Rep., 5th C.D., Oklahoma

Peter H. Kostmayer, Dem, 8th C.D., Pennsylvania

Lawrence Coughlin, Rep., 13th C.D., Pennsylvania

Wm. S. Moorhead, Dem., 14th C.D., Pennsylvania

Gary A. Myers, Rep., 25th C.D., Pennsylvania

Butler Derrick, Dem., 3rd C.D., South Carolina

Richard C. White, Dem., 16th C.D., Texas

Paul S. Trible, Jr., Rep., 1st C.D., Virginia

David E. Satterfield 3rd, Dem., 3rd C.D., Virginia

Robert W. Daniel, Jr., Rep., 4th C.D., Virginia

M. Caldwell Butler, Rep., 6th C.D., Virginia

Lloyd Meeds, Dem., 2nd C.D., Washington

Les Aspin, Dem., 1st C.D., Wisconsin

Henry S. Reuss, Dem., 5th C.D., Wisconsin

William A. Steiger, Rep., 6th C.D., Wisconsin

Robert W. Kasten, Jr., Rep., 9th C.D., Wisconsin

Senate zip: 20510; House zip 20515. Write today.

A FOXY GURU FOR GAYS

Whee, we, wee All the Way Home: A Guide to the New Sensual Spirituality, by Matthew Fox, P.O. Box 9001, Wilmington, NC: Consortium Books, 226 p, $10.

Reviewed by The Rev. Grant Gallup

Gay lifestyles are enthusiastically commended as models for healthy, post-Piscean, proto-Aquarian spirituality in this delightful new book by Matt Fox, handsome young Dominican priest-teacher at Barat College, Lake Forest, IL. "Our senseless, asensual, sadistic society needs all who can return us to our senses, and gays have a special vocation to play in this respect," he says in the closing pages of this book. You will learn a whole new way of thinking about spirituality from Matt Fox, whether you start with this one or with his previous books, On Becoming a Musical, Mystical Bear: Spirituality American Style, published in 1972 by Harper & Row and accompanied by a words & music record album. This spirituality has a large room for gay people and the experience, not confining them to the narrow procrustean beds of other writers on spirituality .

The whole book is cryptically outlined in the clever title: in the "whee" section, ecstasy is discussed. First, natural ecstasies -- the enjoyment of nature, friendship sex, the arts, sports: surer ways to experience God than the tactical ecstasies of chant, fasting, drugs, drink, celibacy, yoga. Tactical ecstasies are always only a means, and are useful for some people some times, but the Middle Way of the Jewish prophets, Jesus, Buddha, and St. Francis Assisi, was primarily the Way of natural ecstasy.

The second section, "We," is about the communal nature of spirituality, even of God: we-ness, us-ness, not a lonely monotheism but a partying panentheism (not pantheism!) which finds God in everything and everything ln God. Memory, pleasure, symbolic play and thought are praised, as against nostalgia, asceticism, literal thinking. God is Artist, not Master.

Part III, the "wee" section is about smallness, humility in our approach to spirituality. In it we are told of the dragons which threaten our spiritual journey, and how, like St. George, we may tame some dragons and make them pets for maidens, or how we may need to slay some others: ego dragons, ersatz ecstasy dragons, He and She dragons, moralizing dragons.

The appendix has a series of spiritual maps, from Fox himself, and from Aquinas, Tillich, and others. Compasses, games to play in groups, and a bibliography, are all included. The book is intended as a spiritual traveler's Baedeker, and has wide margins for writing your observations, too. There are lots of epigrammatic phrases, astonishing insights, that you'll want to underline. "All the Way Home" concludes the title: not where is our home, but Whom, for Fox concludes "it is almost as if Plato [via Wordsworth] was right when he suggested that ... trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home."

The Western Church lost many of its roots with ancient Hebraic sensual religion when it transplanted itself into the world of neo-platonism and the asensual spirituality of Marcion, Proclus, Denis the Pseudoareopagite (a sixth-century monk whom Fr. Fox pillories). He commends the Jewish prophets, Jesus, Francis of Assisi, Heloise (even after Abelard's castration, which removed his sensuality, but not hers).

St. Augustine said that the Holy Scriptures were our letters from home. I think Matt Fox's new book is a lovely new letter from home.

RFD

A magazine for country faggots

Four issues yearly-------$4.00

4525 Lower Wolf Creek Rd.

Wolf Creek, Oregon 97497

IN THE WAKE OF THE BARRETT ORDiNATION--

HOMOPHOBIC POISON FLOODS THE VEINS OF THE CHURCH (l.c.)

PECUSA. "My critics keep saying that I did it and asking me why I did it," The Rt. Rev. Paul Moore, Jr., recently told Forum in a telephone interview; "I did not do an it; rather I was ordaining a person, one whom I know to be highly qualified to be a priest of the Church."

Instead, Bishop Moore has been flooded with protests from virtually everywhere. Not one brother bishop, he told us, has written to support his action except The Rt. Rev. Robert DeWitt, retired Bishop of Pennsylvania -- "but he knows Ellen anyway," Bishop Moore added.

The flood of abusive language has particularly surprised Bishop Moore when it has come from persons whom he thought to be members of the liberal group in the House of Bishops. Others have remained silent who he thought would be positive, "perhaps because they don't realize the amount of vilification going on," Moore said.

"It's nice at home and then I come back here to the office and see stacks of new hate mail. There will probably be a move to censure me in the House of Bishops, but fortunately we do not meet again until the autumn, and maybe reason will be restored."

THE TIMING

Bishop Moore ordained The Rev. Ellen Barrett to the priesthood in NYC at The Church of the Holy Apostles on 10th January 1977. She had been duly ordained deacon in December 1975, with relatively little protest. All of her credentials and supports in the diocese were in top order, and both Barrett and Moore expected the ordination to proceed with little added attention to the final round. She was but one of several dozen women waiting to be ordained after General Convention voted to approve such ordinations of women for the first time. The Rev. Ms. Barrett said beforehand that she felt that homosexuality would be but a "footnote," that her femininity was the main concern of most of those who opposed her.

Reactions from the Church at large suggest that few had adequately estimated the way in which this event would seize the homophobic imagination. Diocese after diocese in council or other annual meetings face resolutions to evaluate the ordination. Although General Convention had specifically voted not to consider resolutions barring Gays from the priesthood, many dioceses have reversed that direction to proceed with haste to resolve not to ordain them.

What seems most to account for the sudden reversal is the pain which the Church brought home from Minneapolis regarding opposition to ordaining women and to adopting the new liturgy. Unity in opposing Gays is rapidly threatening to become the rallying cry of a misdirected effort to bring some more tangible sense of unity to a divided Church fearing schism. The Barrett ordination came along at just the right time to become the scapegoat issue, and congregations, priests, bishops, and conventions around the Church are whipping it all up for every ounce they can get out of it. It is definitely not a time for Gays to walk safely at night in most quarters of the Church, and to many the new flood of poison may seem precisely what the closet persons have been warning us about all along as the danger of trying to be direct and open with nonGays ln the pews and rectories with us.

The reactions which we report here are just the first to come in and to come to our attention. We hope that all readers will keep us posted of similar such efforts in any of the other parts of the Church.

WHENCE THE HOWLS?

Even the Presiding Bishop has gotten into the act early. Diocesan Press Service reported on his speaking at Tennessee's diocesan convention in Memphis on 21st January:

"In his first public comment since Bishop Paul Moore, Jr., of New York ordained avowed Lesbian Ellen Barrett to the priesthood, Bishop Allin declared: 'One ordination does not make and does not break a church at any place, point, or diocese. The church has not gone down the drain; lt really hasn't. Pass the word along.'

"He continued, 'Do not run before every embarrassing incident, every false wind of doctrine, every rumor. This church has produced some damn fool decisions, but it also a church with the capacity to learn. Let's respond in faith, and quit reacting in fear.

"'Think what a great thing it would be,' Bishop Allin said, 'if we didn't speak the first time we got the urge. Lots of people speak on that first urge, even before they have anything to say. And we need not to pass any asinine resolutions that won't change anybody. Harsh reactions can condemn a lot of people who have no defense.'

"The Bishop remarked that, while he does not view himself as a prophet, sometimes he thinks he's 'cursed with a Cassandra syndrome' like the prophetess who spoke truth but was fated never to be believed.

"'I asked in Minneapolis [at General Convention] for a real churchwide study of two things,' Bishop Allin said, 'ministry --both priesthood and the ministry of every baptized person -- and human sexuality. We need to ask what is the nature of man, and what God intends for us. All of us need to study these things, and no bishop needs to rush in and try to solve all our problems for us.'"

Few bishops and conventions are heeding his warning about "asinine resolutions that won't change anybody," but most are concurring with his censure implied in his equation of the incident with embarrassment in a context of "false wind of doctrine" and "some damn fool decisions." As noted below, even his audience in Tennessee ignored his advice about the resolutions.

DIOCESE OF ATLANTA

Athens. Meeting in the secular setting of the Center for Continuing Education of the University of Georgia here, the annual Council of the Diocese of Atlanta voted to commend Bishop Bennett Sims for his determination not to ordain avowed homosexuals.

Bishop Sims was adamant on this point in his Council address, almost inviting a show of diocesan support such as he got: "The Church's long tradition and my own convictions, formed through two years of reading, reflecting, and much dialogue, forbid my ordaining an avowed homosexual -- though a vestry, the Standing Committee, and the Commission on Ministry might authorize me to do so."

Bishop Sims coordinated "the steady drift toward a sanction of homosexuality" with the "erosion of commitment to lifelong marriage" as two "ill winds blowing through society and the Church."

This highly popular stand against Gays came at the end of his address, in which he had stressed that the Church will not have lasting schism.

Bishop Sims admitted that on the issue of homosexuality his own "impatience and anger ... have flared publicly," and stressed that the problem is how to treat lovingly and pastorally those who are victims of "an amenable personality disorder," his terminology for homosexuality.

Although the Bishop had promised to share with Council the more loving stance taken by General Convention, he did not do so; nor was any Gay witness invited.

Bishop Sims stressed that it is wrong to view "homosexuality as an in‑born, a given, like skin color or physical height. I do not believe we serve individuals or the social order if we abandon the old laws. He added that marriage and sexuality "are incendiary issues," and that "human energy unruled by high norms is ... bound to be destructive."

"Though I personally esteem [Bishop Moore], I would not answer this painful difficulty as he and the Diocese of New York have sought to deal with it."

CENTRAL GULF COAST

The politics of disapproval came from the floor in this diocese, in which the bishop, The Rt. Rev. George Murray, has already made a stand, in his capacity of chairing the defunct Joint Commission on the Church and Human Affairs which has recommended to General Convention the much-touted acceptance resolution regarding Gay people. Here are excerpts from secular witnesses at the Mobile Press Register, in a by-line report by Sylvia Hart:

Following extensive debate Saturday on the issue or ordaining homosexuals as priests delegates to the Central Gulf Coast Episcopal Diocese Convention in Mobile plans to vote on the issue Sunday.

The Rev. Richard J. Jones of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Enterprise, pointing out the Rev. Ellen Barrett, a publicly professed lesbian, was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood last week by Bishop Paul Moore of New York, presented a resolution to the Mobile convention expressing "regret" of the bishop's action "without the approval of the church at large."

After a convention recess during which Jones' resolution was studied by a committee chaired by Betts S. Slingluff Jr. of Nativity Episcopal Church in Dothan, the committee offered a substitute resolution expressing disapproval of the New York bishop's action.

A number of delegates spoke against the intrusion into the affairs of the Episcopal Church in New York by the Central Gulf Coast Diocese. A number of other delegates said those at the Mobile convention should make a statement because the New York bishop's action should not be regarded as an expression of the view of the church as a whole.

While the discussion was under way, Jones and Slingluff talked by telephone to Bishop Moore in New York.

Jones reported to the convention the New York bishop said he and Ms. Barrett have been disturbed about the publicity given to her ordination. The bishop said Ms. Barrett has been misquoted by the press, particularly Time magazine.

According to Jones, the bishop said he had refused to ordain Ms. Barrett several years ago because she was involved in a homosexual lobby group in the Episcopal Church.

However, the bishop was quoted as saying Ms. Barrett was ordained last week on the basis of her competence and effectiveness without consideration for her personal life because she had not made an issue of her personal life other than to state candidly her homosexual orientation.

Following the report on the telephone conversation, the matter was referred back to the committee for further study, and the Mobile convention delegates are to take action on the matter in the Sunday session, which begins with a 7:30 a.m. Holy Communion service at Christ Episcopal Church.

(M.P.R., 12 Jan. 77)

And of course the result was predictable, with the added stench of a witch-hunt to ferret out even those who might be hiding in the priestly closets:

In a convention session at Christ Episcopal Church prior to the Expo Hall service, delegates of the diocese adopted a resolution expressing "strong opposition to the ordination to the diaconate (as deacons), the priesthood or the episcopate (as bishops) persons who practice and advocate a homosexual lifestyle."

At the same time, the delegates said they were "sympathetic with the need of homosexual persons for the pastoral concern of the church."

The adoption of the resolution climaxed an extensive debate on the issue of ordaining homosexual persons. The discussion began Saturday, but the delegates agreed to delay action on the matter until the Sunday session.

A study committee chaired by Betts S. Slingluff Jr. of Nativity Episcopal Church in Dothan presented a resolution Sunday in opposition to ordaining "professed homosexuals," but the convention delegates accepted instead an amendment proposed by the Rev. David M. Barney of St. Paul's Church in Daphne, making the resolution apply to practicing homosexuals.

Another amendment proposed by the Rev. Richard J. Jones of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Enterprise which would have used the words "known homosexuals" was voted down at the convention.

A substitute motion by the Rev. Albin S. Bullen of St. Francis Church in Gulf Breeze, Fla., that would have referred the entire matter to a committee for further study until the next convention also was voted down by the delegates.

(M.P.R., 24 Jan. 77)

COLORADO

Denver. The protest here came in advance of the ordination, as reported by the evangelical tabloid National Courier (4th Feb. 77):

Her ordination was accompanied by various complaints. One of the strongest came from the Rt. Rev. William C. Frey, bishop of Colorado, who appealed to Bishop Moore not to ordain her.

Bishop Frey, who called Bishop Moore's action "totally irresponsible," told him, "Paul, you cannot imagine the tremendous harm it will do to the rest of the church. At the very least, please show consideration for those homosexuals who are seeking more positive solutions to their difficulties, and who will be hurt by the inevitable reaction to this ordination."

Anita L. Peterson, president of the Episcopal Church Women at Christ the King Parish in Avarda, Colo., called the ordination a moral and spiritual "error" and said that homosexuality is "a sin in God's eyes."

INTEGRITY/Denver responded in a letter signed by convenor The Rev. Thomas L. Dobbs and circulated to the press throughout the diocese:

"INTEGRITY/Denver wishes to take issue with your recent telegram regarding your objections to the ordination of a practicing homosexual.

"First, we must protest the statement that the mind of the Church will not permit the ordination of practicing homosexuals. We are led to this conclusion for two reasons: As you are well aware, the Church only recently called upon each diocese to engage in serious study and dialogue concerning human sexuality including homosexuality. And it is a fact that the Church today is being served well by many ordained homosexuals, some of whom choose to express their sexuality. The real issue is the level of honesty and integrity the Church will allow those called to the ministry by God to maintain concerning their sexuality.

"Second, we cannot agree that the ordination of homosexuals to the priesthood will harm those homosexuals who are seeking positive solutions to what you refer to as their 'difficulties.' It is our view that the ordination of individuals who openly and joyously profess their sexuality which God has given them will greatly increase homosexuals' feelings of self-worth and help them to realize that their sexuality can be expressed in a manner consistent with Christ's mandate that we love and care for one another.

"We sincerely hope that you will open yourself to God's Spirit and will be led to change your position in this matter."

LOUISIANA

New Orleans. The protest here was public, in the form of a letter from The Rt. Rev. James B. Brown to every major newspaper in the state. Here is the version from the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

Not in Louisiana

New Orleans.

Editor, The Times-Picayune:

I was shocked and saddened to learn from news reports that a person known to be a homosexual was ordained to the ministry of the Episcopal Church by the bishop of New York. As bishop of the Episcopal Church in Louisiana I want to assure your readers that homosexuality is still considered an impediment to ordination in this diocese. I have written the bishop of New York to express my personal protest of his action.

I also want to reassure your readers that insofar as ministers of the church are to be examples in personal as well as in public life. I cannot condone clerical lifestyles and sexual mores repugnant to Holy Scripture. Please do not think that the action of one bishop speaks for the entire Episcopal church. It certainly does not speak for Louisiana.

THE RT. REV. JAMES B. BROWN, D.D.

Bishop of Louisiana

Response from INTEGRITY/NO convenor came in the same paper:

Editor, The Times-Picayune:

I was shocked and saddened to read Bishop Brown's letter (Jan. 18) condemning the ordination of a homosexual woman to the Episcopal ministry by the Bishop of New York. As a layman of the Episcopal diocese of Louisiana. I had been encouraged by the ordination and by its significance -- that the Episcopal Church was, at long last, ready to proclaim the gospel of healing and acceptance to all people without exclusion.

The bishop's letter suggests that the Episcopal Church is socially regressive, that it excludes minorities from its fellowship and ministry, that it clings to the ignorances of a darker age. The General Convention of the national church has spoken otherwise.

Your readers should not think that one bishop can speak for the Episcopal Church, even in Louisiana. The Episcopal Church has rejected the prejudices which Bishop Brown displays, and has commended to all the full acceptance of gay people as brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is my continual prayer that my bishop may not find to his dismay that he has condemned and rejected what our Lord has accepted and blessed.

L. SAM MYERS, JR.

A secular New Orleans editor also responses to Bishop Brown:

The Weekly Newspaper of New Orleans

THE COURIER

Week of January 20-26, 1977

Bishop's Integrity

Episcopalians usually pride themselves on a certain languorous forbearance toward moral dissimilitude -- but not, apparently the current Bishop of Louisiana the Rt. Rev. James B. Brown.

Bishop Brown has even taken to publishing his pastoral edicts in the pages of the Times-Picayune, where Tuesday he wrote a letter to the editor "to assure your readers that homosexuality is still considered an impediment to ordination in this diocese." The apparent provocation: ordination of a lesbian priest in New York earlier this month accompanied by a 10 inch piece on the Tuesday T-P's following page allowing as how some obscure 300 member church in Florida was also outraged and threatening to withhold funds.

Bishop Brown however may be cruisin' ‑‑ in a manner of speaking -- for a bruisin.' The church's national convention in September passed resolutions calling for "love, acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the church for gay people" -- a rather conventional stance these days for all but the Roman Catholics, Mormons and a few other die hards. Bishop Brown is not only bucking the national organization but also a well-organized gay Episcopal force within his own diocese: the New Orleans chapter of Integrity, a nationwide group that had helped secure the September resolutions in the first place.

ln the January issue of Gay Blade, Louisiana's statewide gay newsletter, Integrity's New Orleans convenor Sam Myers, Jr. reports that Brown also sent out a pastoral letter Oct. 7 ordering diocesan clergy "to refrain from giving the aegis of the Episcopal church to any organization of homosexuals, like specifically Integrity.

So Integrity is going to show up in force Feb. 11-13 in Monroe for the annual Louisiana Convention, in a "planned response to unsatisfactory statements" made by Brown.

Gay Episcopalians and sympathizers can contact Myers for further details at P.O. Box 15586, New Orleans 70175, and can write their views directly to Bishop Brown at P.O. Box 15719, New Orleans 70175.

Thus the controversy continues, at this writing, and we expect a report from the Convention in Louisiana for our next issue of Forum.

Meanwhile we have gotten the full text of Bp. Brown's pastoral comments about Gays in his letter of 7th October:

"... the question of pastoral care of homosexuals was raised at the conference [of clergy, just held]. In accordance with Title III, Canon 18, Section 3, I give you the following charge on that matter:

The pastoral care of homosexuals is to continue as in the past within the context of ordinary parochial life. Specifically, I am charging the clergy of the diocese to refrain from giving the aegis of the Episcopal Church to any organization of homosexuals by advising, joining, acting as chaplains, or by holding services of the church for such an organization in a Church or Chapel or privately."

Asked by Forum to explain his stance, specifically vis-a-vis INTEGRITY, Bishop Brown said that he opposed INTEGRITY "because it is an advocacy organization."

"But is not the Episcopal Church an advocacy organization, and are we not advocating the same thing, namely God's love of all people?" Forum asked.

Bishop Brown explained that he could endorse dialogue with INTEGRITY only if it were modeled on Alcoholics Anonymous.

Asked whether he would permit The Rev. Ellen Barrett to celebrate Mass in Louisiana, Bp. Brown responded, "Well of course, I would have to be guided by canon on that."

Bp. Brown emphasized that he feels that the Church has been ministering and is continuing to minister to Gays within the pastoral setting. Asked whether he planned to act on the General Convention resolution concerning the initiation of dialogue on human sexuality at the diocesan level, Bishop Brown said that sexuality is "not a high priority in Louisiana.

Asked whether he would be willing to speak to legislators opposing the sodomy statutes in Louisiana, Bishop Brown said, "Well, I doubt it. I would hope that you are opposed to the criminal abduction of children that we read so much about, and removing these restrictions would only serve to increase such behavior."

When asked to comment on the Church's failure to reach out in New Orleans, which has had a visible Gay minority for decades, Bishop Brown said that he felt that many Gays were very happy in the Church in Louisiana.

DIOCESE OF NEW YORK

According to Gay Community News Suffragan Bishop to Bishop Moore, The Rt. Rev. J. Stuart Wetmore, told the New York Times that "It [Ellen Barrett's ordination] had not been a test of the validity of the [church's policy on] ordination [of homosexual persons]," but rather an act of ordaining one person deemed by all persons in the elaborate approving process to be highly qualified for such ordination.

DIOCESE OF SOUTHERN OHIO

Columbus. Here much of the pattern of homophobia was significantly broken. Meeting in Convention on 19-20 November, before Ellen's ordination had become a fact or even a clear idea on their minds, the Diocese voted to table a motion generally opposing the ordination of homosexual persons. The motion had been presented by the Church of the Advent in Cincinnati. The argument for tabling this issue was that the General Convention had appointed a Commission [see page 1 of this issue] which will study the issue and report back to the next General Convention.

DIOCESE OF TENNESSEE

Memphis. The Convention here voted to approve a resolution, as described by an AP release or 23 Jan.:

"Homosexuality is contrary to our concept of Christian morality and this ordination, therefore, condones and encourages a position which is adverse to Christian morality," the resolution says.

"The judgment about the qualifications of the candidate is the judgment that was made by the diocesan bishop and his council of advisers," said the Rt. Rev. William Evan Sanders, 57, newly installed bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee. "That was a local judgment, it did not have the approval of the general convention or any other dioceses.

"I am in support of the ordination of women to the priesthood and the episcopate as they qualify," Sanders said in an interview. "But I am opposed to the acceptance of homosexuals and I do not feel that a person who is dealing with that problem is a person who has the maturity and the stability to serve in the priesthood of the church."

TEXAS -- DIOCESE OF DALLAS

Dallas Morning News gave front-page coverage, including a picture of Bishop Davies:

The Episcopal bishops of North Texas wired their counterpart in New York Tuesday, condemning the Rt. Rev. Paul Moore's action Monday when he ordained an avowed lesbian as a priest.

"We condemn your act in attempting to ordain a practicing homosexual woman to the priesthood and declare it a denial of Christian morality," said the Rt. Revs. A. Donald Davies and Robert E. Terwilliger of the North Texas Diocese of Dallas.

The Telegram charged Bishop Moore with compromising the church's position as a force for healing society and with bringing "more tragic divisions" into the church. The Dallas prelates refused to accept the ordination as valid.

Bishop Moore ordained Ellen Marie Barrett, 30, who served as co-president of "Integrity," the Episcopal homosexual caucus. She was ordained a deacon by Bishop Moore in 1975 and is now working on a doctorate in social ethics at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif.

In the midst of turmoil and dissent, the Episcopal General Convention last September approved ordination of women. It also adopted a resolution urging pastoral concern for homosexuals, but rejected resolutions sanctioning ordination of avowed homosexuals.

Bishops Davies and Terwilliger were leaders in a movement adamantly opposed to female priests and have vowed not to ordain women as priests in their diocese.

About the Rev. Barrett's ordination, Bishop Davies said, "I don't recognize her as being ordained.

"We are being asked to accept this (homosexuality) as an authoritative way of life against the traditional Judaic-Christian teaching about the roles and true relationships of men and women."

Although there are a number of male homosexual priests in the denomination, Davies said that to his knowledge these were not known to be homosexuals until after their ordination and that before Monday "no bishop has ordained anyone known to be homosexual."

He said he has received a "deluge" of telegrams from concerned Dallas area parishioners who are "hurt and disgusted" by the lesbian's ordination.

The full text of the telegram sent to Bishop Moore by the Dallas prelates was: "We condemn your act in attempting to ordain a practicing homosexual woman to priesthood and declare it a denial of Christian morality.

"This is an affront to our relationship as bishops. It presents a painful problem to Christian homosexuals seeking to live chaste lives.

"Your action compromises the church's credibility as a force for the healing of society, and brought even more tragic divisions into the broken body of Christ."

Of course, the reporter here is wrong about the action taken at General Convention, where there were no resolutions offered to support the ordination of Gays. The resolutions offered and rejected at General Convention were resolutions to oppose such ordination. By not voting those motions in, General Convention gave open road to the Diocese of New York to behave as it did in ordaining The Rev. Ms. Barrett.

DIOCESE OF SOUTHERN VIRGINIA

Williamsburg. The Rev. C. Pinckney Lewis here at the Bruton Parish Church put the following blurb in his Sunday bulletin for 23rd January:

"Your Rector is as disturbed and ashamed as most high-minded individuals regarding the recent ordination of less-than-wholesome examples of the flock of Christ.

"He asks you to join him in praying that God will direct our Church to correct this trend. Mercifully The Almighty has, in ages past, shown he is able to overcome various types of evil in high places. His Holy Spirit triumphs despite the shortsightedness of those to whom it appears there has been erroneously given authority. So let's hope!"

DIOCESE OF WESTERN NEW YORK

Buffalo. The Courier Express here carried the following account on 11 January 1977:

Ordination Of Lesbian Rapped Here

The Episcopal bishop of Western New York said on Monday that a lesbian ordained as a priest will not be allowed to serve in that capacity here.

Rt. Rev. Harold B. Robinson issued a statement about the ordination Monday in New York City of Ms. Ellen Marie Barrett. He said: "I have sent a letter today to Rt. Rev. Paul Moore, Jr., bishop of New York, protesting in the strongest possible terms his ordaining the woman.

"According to newspapers reports," Bishop Robinson's statement said, "Ellen Marie Barrett is a self-described lesbian. Bishop Moore has ordained a person who allegedly admits being a homosexual and I assume has no desire to change her sexual behavior."

He said Bishop Moore, by ordaining the woman, "has violated his loyalty to the doctrine of this church ad his promise to conform and be obedient to it. Furthermore, his action has been a cause of scandal to the church."

Bishop Robinson concluded by saying, "Ellen Marie Barrett will not be licensed to function as a priest in the Diocese of Western New York and will be advised accordingly."

BISHOP MOORE'S OWN STATEMENT

Below are the cover letter and "statement" which Bishop Moore has been using in replying to those opposed to the ordination of The Rev. Ellen Barrett. We thank Bp. Moore for sharing these with us.

COVER LETTER

I have read with both care and sorrow your communication protesting the ordination of the Rev. Ellen Barrett to the priesthood.

Yours is one of many and I had planned to answer all individually, but I realize now that this would serve everyone poorly. A full response to each is not feasible, and a short response would not do justice to the seriousness of Ellen Barrett's calling, to the thoroughness of the process by which we allowed her to advance to ordination ‑‑ or to the depth and earnestness of your feelings.

In the enclosed statement, prepared for the clergy of the Diocese, I have tried to set forth all the facts surrounding the ordination. To the best of my ability, I have tried to respond to the major points of protest and pain. I hope that you will read it carefully.

I hope that you will also read it compassionately. You probably do not know Ellen Barrett personally. We do. We know her as a quiet, dedicated individual; a practicing Christian who sought to be ordained a priest so that she might serve all in His name. She simply does not fit her critics' stereotyped view; her personal life simply does not match their assumptions.

Sincerely, Paul Moore, Jr., Bp. of NY

THE STATEMENT

On Monday, December 15, 1975, I ordained Ellen Marie Barrett a Deacon, and on Monday, January 10, 1977 I ordained her a priest. I acted in full knowledge of her professed homosexual orientation, believing (as I still do) that she was fully qualified in every way for holy orders.

Ellen first applied to me informally in 1972. At that time she was fairly active in the Gay Movement and had written an article or two on the subject. I told her then that I would not recommend her to the Standing Committee. She later applied to the Diocese of Pennsylvania, but was not accepted there. She was serious about her vocation, however, and matriculated at the General Theological Seminary. Early in 1975 she reapplied for candidacy in the Diocese of New York. She had by then resigned her office in "Integrity" and ceased to be active in the Gay Movement. More important, I was convinced that her vocation to ordination had deepened; she professed this vocation to ministry, service and teaching as her consuming interest. Her recommendation from General Theological Seminary was excellent in terms of character, personality, behavior and academic competence.

Ellen went through the rigorous screening process of the Diocese of New York, which includes a weekend conference with the Ministries Commission. She also passed the canonically required psychiatric examination which is designed to screen out those emotionally unfit for the ministry. (It is worth noting in this context that the American Psychiatric Association, the professional organization of psychiatrists, has declared that homosexuality as such is not an illness.)

I presented her to the Standing Committee, and she was admitted as a candidate on May 8, 1975. She was approved for the Diaconate on November 6th of that year. The news of Ellen's impending ordination to the Diaconate was picked up by an unfriendly source, and news releases were sent throughout the country. As a result we had several letters objecting to her ordination. I called a special meeting of the Standing Committee which unanimously reaffirmed it's approval of her ordination to the Diaconate.

The fact that she has publicly admitted her homosexual orientation was not judged by the Bishop or the Standing Committee to be a barrier to ordination. All of us were aware that many homosexual persons have served the Church well. They were, of course, forced to be very secretive about this aspect of their personality. Now it is possible to be more open about one's sexual orientation, and that is a healthy development.

The personal morality, lifestyle, and behavior of every ordinand must be and is carefully weighed by the Bishop, the Ministries Commission, and the Standing Committee. This applies to persons of all sexual orientations. In the absence of public scandal, however, the personal morality of an ordinand becomes almost by definition a matter between him or her and a confessor, pastor, or bishop. Suffice it to say that Ellen Barrett's life and profession had not been an occasion of public scandal.

In approving persons for ordination, the Bishop, Standing Committee, and Ministries Commission deal with each person as a whole and as an individual. It is an intensely personal judgment and does not lend itself to categories. Ellen Barrett, judged as a whole person, was determined by us to possess a valid vocation to the diaconate and priesthood, and to have the character and competence to fulfill this vocation. Her ordination was not a political act and did not seek to make a statement about homosexual activity; it was, like any ordination, the solemn laying on of hands upon a person carefully and prayerfully chosen.

A great many people who opposed this ordination shared with me some of their theological views; I should respond in kind. In briefest form, I believe that better guidance will be found in the fullness of the Gospel than in the narrowness of isolated verses selected painstakingly from the Epistles or the Old Testament. There is a timelessness to the message of God's love that outweighs the datedness of so many Biblical injunctions rooted in ancient societies.

Prejudices passed down through the centuries have made it difficult for most of us to make a genuinely Christian judgment of the homosexual condition. We know, however, that a great deepening and broadening of our understanding of human sexuality has emerged in recent years, nurtured by the interaction between traditional Christian theology and our modern world's perception of human nature. There has, for one thing, been decided movement in the Church away from a tradition which grudgingly accepted sex for procreative ends only toward a more encompassing, psychosomatic view of sexuality as a good and desirable way of expressing a loving relationship between persons. One telling result of this theological shift is the general acceptance within the Anglican communion of birth control as a fully moral practice.

In shifting away from an exclusively procreative view of sex to one of sex as a human expression of love, we move beyond explicit Biblical guidance. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us. The Church has re-awakened to the realization that Truth is an open-ended process of progressive revelation, and what we are witnessing in our time with regard to human sexuality is just such a process.

For most people, however, this rethinking of the morality of sexual expression is yet to be extended to homosexual persons. I believe that their recognition as full members of the Church with the opportunities, rights, and responsibilities of all other members is based ultimately on Jesus's view of human nature as reflected in the Gospel. Again and again, He broke through the prejudices of the day to accept and lift up those rejected and downgraded by others. And just as the reasons for their rejection were often beyond their control, so the homosexual person's condition is generally not a matter of conscious choice.

The force that shape sexual orientation are still somewhat mysterious, but there is general agreement that our sexuality is forged at an incredibly early age, long before puberty. Thus, a person's sexual preference is not in the category of sin, and the sometimes violent social prejudice against the homosexual condition comes painfully close to the recorded targets of Jesus's preaching.

As a Church, we are only beginning to work out the complicated issues in the area of human sexuality. I plan to have some conferences in the near future to help us all in our thinking. [This statement was originally prepared for the clergy of the Diocese of New York.] Meanwhile, for those of you who have an interest in exploring the issue of the moment, I have listed some books that might prove helpful.

The Same Sex. Ralph Weltge, ed. Pilgrim Press, 1969.

Time for Consent. N. Pittenger. SCM Press, 1967.

The Church and the Homosexual. John J. McNeill, S.J. Sheed, Andrews and McNeill, 1976.

Paul Moore, Jr., Bishop of New York

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