Episcopal Press and News
Controversy over Homosexuality Continues in the Diocese of Michigan
Episcopal News Service. March 14, 1990 [90056]
The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan was embroiled in heated debate at its annual convention over the issue of homosexuality, and a resolution proclaiming Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation.
The bishop of the diocese, the Rt. Rev. Stewart Wood, made an emotional plea to priests of the diocese to stop blessing same-sex relationships until the diocese can clarify its position on such blessings.
The issue of the diocese's position toward its homosexual members surfaced after a January 13 symposium in Detroit on the blessing of same-sex relationships became the subject of widespread controversy.
While Bishop Wood admitted that blessing such relationships "is clearly outside the norm of this church," in an address to the convention, he sought to avoid cutting off dialogue on the matter. "I hope you will trust me," Wood said, "to work with all of our clergy to fashion a ministry that honors the church's historical understandings of Christian marriage, monogamy, chastity, and fidelity, and provides a pastoral and liturgical ministry to homosexual persons."
Although the bishop's address was greeted by a standing ovation, some members of the convention felt that the bishop's request did not go far enough, while others charged that it was an assault on gay and lesbian members of the church.
"The bishop has chosen to assume the role of the healer, a reconciler, a bridge builder. But he has abdicated his role as a prophet," said the Rev. Zalmon Sherwood, an openly gay priest and interim pastor of St. Paul's Church in Jackson. "In asking me and other clergy to stop blessing same-sex unions, he has rendered countless lesbian and gay people in this diocese invisible," Sherwood said.
However, the Rev. Richard Kim, rector of St. John's Church in Detroit, felt that the bishop's position did not go far enough. "I know we have to find new ways to minister, but we cannot rewrite the Bible," Kim said.
During a later floor debate on the bishop's address, the Rev. Keith Boyles, of Lincoln Park, said he would continue to bless same-sex relationships.
Prior to the convention a group of 11 priests asked Bishop Wood to uphold the 1979 General Convention's ruling that it is inappropriate to ordain practicing homosexuals. However, another group of 32 priests sent a letter to Bishop Wood calling on him to resist pressure to discipline priests who openly discuss their sexuality.
Resolution about Jesus stirs further controversy.
In another controversy, the diocese was embroiled in a debate over a resolution that proclaimed "Jesus is the Christ, the only name given under heaven by which we may be saved." The resolution was proposed by the Rev. Richard Kim in an attempt to call attention to the denomination's Decade of Evangelism.
However, some delegates argued that the resolution unnecessarily demeaned other religious traditions. "It is divisive and demeaning to people whose faith in God is as strong as ours though it is differently defined," said the Rev. Anne Garrison, an assistant to Bishop Wood.
The Rev. Gregory Wilson-Youngchild of, Port Huron, said he opposed the resolution because it "presumes to define the ways in which God is able to work." However, Patricia Dieneen, of Flushing, said that the defeat of the resolution would be perceived as saying "it does not matter which savior you choose in a Decade of Evangelism."
After much debate over the resolution, a substitute offered by the Rev. Harvey Guthrie, rector of St. Andrew's Church in Ann Arbor, was passed by the convention. Guthrie's substitute said the convention would recommit itself to "proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ; seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves; striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being."