Church leaders delay gay bishop vote

Newsday.com - On the verge of a historic vote, a convention of Episcopalian leaders was thrown into disarray Monday when opponents raised allegations involving pornography and inappropriate touching against the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, who is awaiting confirmation as the first openly gay bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Church officials said that even though the allegations came at the last minute and might be part of a smear campaign, they would be investigated, forcing the church's senior bishops to indefinitely postpone Robinson's confirmation vote.

There was a reason I left the Episcopal Church years ago. When we lived in San Francisco, we belonged to this nice little church called St. Gregory's. There were probably around 30 people or less at any given church service. For the most part, we did our thing and the church hierarchy left us alone.

Then, Kent and I were asked if we'd like to be part of a "study" that the church was starting on developing a service for "same sex unions". This was back in the mid-80's. We went to many meetings and came up with recommendations that the higher church officials (our Bishop) was waiting for (supposedly). Once it left our hands, we never heard about it again. When our church priests inquired, they were politely asked to not talk about it. It was all a formality to try to please some in the church that wanted a religious blessing for gay couples. We got our hopes up because at the time, we were both very much a part of the church and felt that it would enhance our spiritual life together. The experience was an eye opener for me. It's amazing that anything can get done in churches at all. Take all the politics of a business, multiply it by about 1000 times, and you have church politics.

Some people in the Episcopal Church will do anything they can do to keep Gene Robinson from becoming a bishop. His sexual orientation will overshadow anything else he has done or his qualifications. I knew that from the start. I didn't foresee a smear campaign, which is exactly what I believe this to be. If you were the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of this man, why on earth would you wait until just before the vote to express yourself. These allegations are in my view a last ditch effort to keep this confirmation from happening. Unfortunately, all of this will end up causing continued controversy around Gene Robinson, not matter what happens. Some people are so fearful of some things such as the sexual orientation of an individual, that you have to wonder how they get through their days when something really important happens. In the end, my prediction is that Rev. Gene Robinson will not be confirmed.
Church leaders delay gay bishop vote (itv.com)
Last-minute accusations investigated
Allegations delay vote on gay bishop (Boston Globe)

Also in the news....

Newsday.com - UNITED NATIONS: Gay activists demanded homosexual rights be included in international human rights treaties and asked the United Nations to provide equal benefits to same-sex couples.

Speakers at a panel discussion Monday evening organized by the U.N. alliance of gay, lesbian or bisexual employees said homosexuals have made great progress in winning equal rights and fair treatment but warned that discrimination is still widespread.

In April, the U.N. Human Rights Commission faced problems in discussions over its first-ever attempt to tackle the issue - a proposed resolution expressing "deep concern at the occurrence of violations of human rights in the world against persons on the grounds of their sexual orientation."

The proposal by Brazil was backed by European countries. But the debate was postponed for a year after Muslim members of the commission said they were against any resolution containing the words "sexual orientation."

Amnesty International has said millions of people across the globe face imprisonment, torture, violence and discrimination because of their sexual orientation. It pointed in particular to Egypt's sentencing of 21 men to three years in prison last month on charges of practicing debauchery.