Dear People of God,
On Tuesday, August 5th, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church made a decision that will bring joy to some and great sadness to others. The confirmation of The Reverend Canon V. Gene Robinson to be the next bishop of New Hampshire came at the end of a day of prayer and communal discernment within the House of Bishops. At the announcement of confirmation of Canon Robinson, I joined approximately twenty other bishops at the front of the House. We read a statement of our sorrow at the action of the House of Bishops in our conviction that this action is a departure from the faith and order of the Anglican Communion. I would now like to share with each of you my thoughts and feelings as we look to the future.
The election and confirmation of Canon Robinson is the end of a long process which began years ago when the Episcopal Church began to look inward. We lost sight of Christ's call to each of us for conversion and transformation, not affirmation. Christian discipleship is a call to struggle to be obedient to the Gospel revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Since I became your bishop, I have called our diocese to the work of mission and ministry which seeks to fulfill the Great Commission. I believe that our response to this current crisis in the life of the Church must be to redouble our efforts for mission. I call us to a time of self-examination, repentance, conversion, amendment of life, and a new beginning as we seek to carry the Gospel to the world. I encourage each of us to deepen our commitment to Jesus Christ and His work of reconciliation and renewal. Together we must continue to live out our baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of every human being. We are all children of God who have fallen short of the image of Christ.
The General Convention has made a decision regarding the diocese of New
Hampshire. In light of that decision I must be honest with our diocesan community regarding my convictions in this matter. I will uphold the teachings of the Church. I will not accept into the ordination process those who are living in an intimate relationship outside the covenant of marriage, nor will I allow the blessing of relationships that are not consistent with the teaching of the Book of Common Prayer and our Anglican heritage. We are still committed to the work and ministry of the Anglican Communion through the Diocese of Southwest Florida. This action of the General Convention does not damage our relationship with our sisters and brothers in the wider Communion, or require our acceptance of any new or novel teaching. I also ask you to remember that it is the sin of a cold and closed heart, unwilling to forgive and seek reconciliation that is the greatest stumbling block to faithful discipleship.
As I write to you I feel empty and my heart is broken. I know that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us that healing and restoration of a sense of wholeness and holiness is possible. Today feels to me like Good Friday. I know that Good Friday was essential before we could live into the miracle of the Resurrection. I believe that we will move beyond the current crisis if we keep our eyes fixed on the cross of Christ.
The day after this vote was the Feast of the Transfiguration. I believe that through prayer and mission we will be agents to allow the risen Lord to transfigure and renew the Church that we love.
While the focus of attention has been on the controversy surrounding the confirmation of bishop-elect Robinson, there are stories of marvelous ministries at home and abroad which have touched many hearts: programs addressing the AIDS pandemic; anti-racism; thriving youth and young adult ministries. We continue to hear of powerful ministries within our own diocese. There is much to celebrate!
Many of you know that one of my favorite prayers is the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. At no time have these words been more important for us to have in our hearts and on our lips as we face the days ahead. Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant, O Divine Master, that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Continue to pray. Have faith. Jesus is Lord.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
The Rt. Rev. John B. Lipscomb