Church backs rights for gays Episcopalians alter resolution

BANGOR – Episcopalians on Friday overwhelmingly endorsed equal rights for gays and lesbians at the their annual convention held at the Bangor Civic Center, but stopped short of urging residents to vote no on Question 1 on Nov. 8.

The original language of the resolution, which included calling “upon all citizens to vote no this November 8th on Proposition #1,” could have affected the tax-exempt status of the Diocese of Maine.

“Our chancellor pointed out that by urging people to vote one way or the other, we were functioning as a [political action committee],” said Heidi Shott, communications officer for the diocese. “So the resolution was amended.”

Question 1 on the ballot will read: “Do you want to reject the new law that would protect people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations and credit based on their sexual orientation?”

A controversy over homosexuality has divided the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church in the United States is a part, for more than two years. The dispute was ignited two years ago when V. Gene Robinson was elected by the New Hampshire diocese as the first openly gay bishop in the world.

Maine Bishop Chilton Knudsen spoke Friday of the controversy in her convention address.

“I want to tell you that there isn’t a doubt in the world that it is a tense time in the Anglican Communion,” she said. “It’s been tense before, and it will be tense again. We are promised not unanimity of opinion but the grace of God to struggle to live in the tension of differences.”

A year ago, the Anglican Communion issued a document known as the Windsor Report that stopped short of calling for Robinson’s removal but asked that the Episcopal Church “express its regret” that it harmed the worldwide body. It also asked that congregations study and comment on the document.

Maine Episcopalians passed a resolution Friday calling for “prayerful study of the Anglican Communion and our participation in it.”

“This is not an easy time,” Knudsen said. “But it is a time to lean on grace and a time to inform ourselves about this helpful tool for discussion about living together in communion. The Windsor Report would be the first document to tell you, and it does, that it is not a rulebook; it is a not a piece of legislation; it is a reflection. And it is worth continued reflecting.”

The bishop also announced that because of the increase in the cost of heating oil, the bishop’s office in Portland would be closed on Fridays beginning Nov. 4 through the end of March. She said that instead of working from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. five days a week, the staff would work from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. four days a week. Staff members will rotate carrying a pager on Fridays to cover emergencies.

She urged congregations to consider ways to save fuel that might include closing churches one additional day a week and holding meetings in homes instead of at church.

“We will continue having economic struggles,” the bishop said, “not only fuel but the cost of medical care. These two require us to get ever more serious about stewardship, thoughtful use of our resources, careful attention to every dollar we spend and every dollar that we ask for.”