DATE=8/13/03

TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP

NAME=GAY BISHOP

NUMBER=6-13044

BYLINE=ANDREW GUTHRIE

DATELINE=Washington

EDITOR=Assignments

TELEPHONE=619-3335

CONTENT-

INTRO: One of the most pressing social controversies in the United States involves the rights and acceptance of homosexuals. Laws protect the rights of homosexuals in the workplace and in society but many people criticize this trend. They believe homosexuality violates religious teachings and is morally wrong.

The U-S Protestant Episcopal Church has now voted to approve the ordination of a gay [practicing homosexual] priest as the Bishop of New Hampshire, raising this controversy to a new level. We get a sampling of editorial reaction now from V-O-A's _______________in today's U-S Opinion Roundup.

TEXT: While small, the Episcopal Church in the United States is one of the wealthiest denominations, and includes many of the nation's most influential citizens. Liberal and conservative elements have been in conflict for years over various issues, including the ordination of women priests, African-Americans, and now of gays [homosexuals].

Last week in Minnesota, the church convention approved The Reverend Gene Robinson, who is gay, as the new Bishop of New Hampshire. The press generally approves the move, with a vocal minority in sharp opposition. New York's Daily News for example puts it this way.

VOICE: The Church deserves praise for its courageous approval of [Reverend] Robinson. Sadly, not everyone is happy. Conservatives are threatening to bolt the two-point-three-million member U-S congregation. The church must work hard to hold its flock together. But it has weathered controversies before. And it can do so again.

TEXT: However in Connecticut, The Waterbury Republican-American is disgusted, calling the priest and his followers "decadent" and explains:

VOICE: He smashed his marriage vows before finally getting divorced, has shacked up [Editors: slang for "lived, and had sex with"] with his homosexual lover since 1989 and wants his church to sanctify same-sex marriages. So according to the Bible and Anglican theology, his life is "inappropriate conduct" cubed [ Editors: multiplied to the third degree].

TEXT: In his home state, The [Manchester] Union Leader, the state's largest daily, adds.

VOICE: New Hampshire has reason to be proud of many of its unique distinctions. Being home to the first openly homosexual leader of a so-called mainstream Christian church shouldn't be one of them. But neither should it be any great surprise, given the longtime ultra-liberal leaning of the leadership of the small Episcopalian Church here.

TEXT: The Union Leader then quotes a column in the same edition by Patrick Buchanan who fumes: "Either homosexual acts are immoral or the Episcopal Church has been teaching homophobia [for] 600 years."

A much more friendly view comes from the Pacific Northwest, and Portland's Oregonian.

VOICE: The Episcopal Church took a courageous and positive step in electing its first openly gay bishop. The [decision] advances our culture's acceptance of gays and lesbians as worthy and moral people who should not have to hide in the closet or occupy the shadows of public life.

TEXT: As far as Kentucky is concerned, in the words of The Louisville Courier-Journal: "Culture never stands still. It's always evolving. This week, the Episcopal Church nudged it along with the election of the first openly gay bishop. His election shows how far society has traveled. He is "morally capable," the bishop of the Los Angeles diocese said. Overwhelmingly, other bishops, priests and lay people agreed.

TEXT: In Texas, home to one of the largest populations of Episcopalians, The Dallas Morning News does not take sides in the dispute, but rather praises the method.

VOICE: Difficult days lie ahead for Episcopalians and their church. Yet, despite their heartfelt differences over this issue, the laity and clergy who [met] in Minneapolis [were] remarkable in their civility. We have been struck by the calm and deliberative process the Episcopalians followed in reaching their conclusion. The discussions were marked not by cheap name-calling but by honest soul-searching. Yes, there [was] division. But the common bond of faith took precedence.

TEXT: With that note from The Dallas Morning News, we conclude this editorial reaction to the approval of a gay Episcopal bishop for the state of New Hampshire.

NEB/ANG/RH