Robinson regrets turmoil but not sorry about consecration
-20/10/04
Gene Robinson has said that he regrets that his groundbreaking elevation to the church leadership created turmoil in the Anglican Communion, but feels he was not personally responsible for the rift and is not sorry he was elected.
The comments were made in an Associated Press interview two days after an Anglican commission said the U.S. Episcopal Church should express regret for the fallout from his appointment.
"We regret how difficult this made things in many parts of the Communion," said Robinson, who leads the Diocese of New Hampshire.
"Certainly, I do not regret that my becoming a bishop has been a real blessing to me and my diocese. I don't think any of us regret the decision that we made."
Some will feel that his comments meet the recommendations of the Windsor report, which invited expression of "regret" over the hurt and difficulties caused by his consecration.
Although reported in the media and interpreted by some pressure groups as calling for an "apology", the Report didn't use the word. It opted instead for language which meant those wanting to meet the commission's recommendations didn't have to go back on the decision itself - only its consequencs.
The commission did however ask for a moratorium on electing non-celibate gays as bishop, while leaders of the global fellowship of churches spend the next several months studying how they can remain unified.
The report sought to temporarily halt the growing acceptance of same-sex blessing ceremonies in Anglican churches. However, it is unclear whether U.S. dioceses will comply.
Episcopalians already have competing interpretations of the scope of the commission's request, with Robinson and others contending that blessing ceremonies are still acceptable under the moratorium. Conservatives disagree.
The Diocese of New Hampshire has authorized the blessing ceremonies for years, and Robinson said he would not stop clergy who wished to perform them. Robinson said he has not led a same-sex blessing ceremony since becoming bishop last November.
Robinson said he did not expect any reconciliation "in my lifetime" of those with opposing biblical views on homosexuality. And he questioned some opponents of his consecration who said they harbored no prejudice against gays.
"To have someone look me in the eye and tell me how much they love me and tell me to get rid of my partner and love of my life," Robinson said, "I can tell you it's hard to believe."
Still, he hoped conservatives would be open to exploring how to maintain the Communion.
"I want the American church to be part of the Anglican Communion," he said. "We are so much better standing together than standing apart."
"If the conservatives choose not to remain at the table, I don't know what can be done about that," Robinson said. "What I'm saying is that I'm going to be at the table. The American church is going to be at the table."
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