I first read on
Atrios that the first openly gay man to become an Episcopal bishop is under round the clock FBI protection following threats on his life, according to media reports. But I didn't catch the details that really bring the story home in his short blurb. The
Telegraph reports that
Bishop-elect Gene Robinson, who will be consecrated bishop of New Hampshire next Sunday, told a conference for homosexual priests in Manchester this weekend that there were grave concerns for his safety. ...
Conference organisers said that the FBI advised the bishop-elect to cancel his plans to speak in person at the event because his safety could not be guaranteed.
Rev. Robinson then went on to affirm his determination--by satellite hookup--to become a Bishop, citing the "wonderful messages from around the world about what this means to people, especially from those not in cities or churches where it is safe to be who they are."
This amazing man! Someone in an accepting, moral church unafraid to be who they are.
So, what would Jesus do? Obviously, Jesus would THREATEN THE LIFE of Rev. Robinson. Why? Because Jesus has come a long, long way since I went to Sunday School.
I'm gay and Episcopal. I was an alter boy. This sort of fundamentalist threat teaches me in crystal clear terms that I have no place in the church, that my relationships aren't valid, and if I DARE act like they are, my life would be in danger, or at least require a round the clock FBI guard. It's a threat, plain and simple and, yes, it's personal. Sort of like Liza threatening David all hopped up on Vodka. But that's another story.
Now, it's not like I don't expect this kind of behavior from scraggly fundamentalists. But what's especially confounding to me is where in the world these breakaway "Conservative Episcopals" came from. What color Volvo did they have in the parking lot?? These must be the same shabby Episcopals who get upset at female priests. Ugh. If it weren't completely rude, I would suggest they would find a welcome home in the Catholic Church, where the Pope can decree that there ARE no gay male priests and the nuns only play guitar sometimes. But that would be like Catholics telling Episcopals what to do in ecumenical matters. And we can't have that.
Time was, the idea of gay Episcopals barely lifted an eyebrow. In fact, that's kind of a joke if you've been to an Episcopal service. But now that we all live in Wingerville, we've got fundamentalists of EVERY stripe--even Episcopals. Eeeegads! I thought that's why the Episcopal church was there to begin with.
I was so wrong.