Gay clergy issue concerns ministers

Gay clergy issue concerns ministers

Daytona Beach News-Journal, FL

ORMOND BEACH -- Controversy over gay clergy in the Episcopal Church runs so deep that the Rev. Comforted Keen thinks some kind of schism is inevitable.

Ten churches in North Florida have split away from their bishop in Jacksonville. On a smaller scale, Keen said three families have left his parish, Church of the Holy Child, over the issue.

"Two were leader families," Keen said. "These were thoughtful, quality folk."

The issue is only expected to heat up this year. The diocese in San Francisco could elect the denomination's second openly gay bishop this spring, following the consecration of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire in 2003.

When Episcopalians meet this summer for their general convention that gathers every three years, gay clergy is expected to be on the agenda. Bishop John W. Howe in Orlando is asking local Episcopalians to pray for the future of their church.

So far, Episcopal congregations in Volusia and Flagler counties have not broken with their bishops in Orlando and Jacksonville.

"Our national brand may be in trouble, but the local franchise is doing fine," Keen said.

The Rev. Jeff Bunke, the pastor of Grace Episcopal Church, acknowledged that tensions exist here, too.

Because the issue is so volatile, many local rectors did not want to speak on the record. Some said the church is bigger than one issue. The church will get over gay clergy as it once moved past the controversy of ordaining women. One priest said he wants an inclusive church --- one that "errs on the side of love" in accepting gay clergy.

Keen, however, said the issue is more about scriptural authority, which he believes teaches that homosexuality is wrong. He said the church is breaking from 2,000 years of tradition by embracing openly gay priests.

"There's a lot of nuance (to the debate)," said Joe Thoma, the spokesman for the Diocese of Central Florida, which includes Volusia County.

The inner politics are very complicated. Some Episcopalians are upset over the way the recognition of a gay bishop was handled, Thoma said.

Some conservative parishes, like the 10 in North Florida, have chosen to affiliate themselves with Anglican bishops in Africa rather than recognize the authority of their local bishops.

Keen said the diocese of Central Florida has become known as one of the most conservative in the country due to its alignment with an orthodox faction, the Anglican Communion Network, soon after the Rev. V. Gene Robinson was elected bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.

Because of the Diocese of Central Florida's more traditional stance, local parishes may have less cause to break with their bishop, some Episcopalians acknowledged.

"I know priests in Los Angeles are fit to be tied (with their local church hierarchy)," Thoma said.