Church Snubs Lesbian Priest for Bishop

By Tim State in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 12, 2007 4:29PM

The Rev. Jeffrey Lee, a moderate in the eyes of religious leaders, was elected as the 12th Bishop of Chicago at the diocese convention in Wheeling on Saturday. Lee was selected over seven other candidates, one of whom is an openly lesbian priest, the Very Rev. Tracey Lind. Theological conservatives are condemning the vote and Lee, saying it doesn’t demonstrate enough restraint in maintaining the traditional view that the scripture condemns homosexuality. And some are saying the move nails gays and lesbians to the cross for the sake of church unity.

The 2003 consecration of New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, began to create a divide in the Anglican Communion. Since then, 65 of the nation’s 7,000 parishes have moved away from the national church, claiming it’s abandoned scripture.

Earlier this year, Anglican leaders demanded the American church “pledge unequivocally not to consecrate another gay bishop or approve an official prayer service for same-sex couples.” Episcopal Bishops responded while meeting in New Orleans by resolving to “exercise restraint” in approving another gay bishop and wouldn’t authorize prayers to bless same-sex couples.

The Very Rev. Tracey Lind via Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.