THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 23, 1994 TAG: 9408230007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Once again, a small group of conservative Christians is inaccurately promoted as the mainstream force within a church. Your report on Bishop Frank Vest and the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy within the Episcopal church gives this vocal minority the appearance of being a major movement within this church.
I was present at the meeting of church vestry during which Bishop Vest stated his views on the approval of candidates who had passed the many steps of approval necessary for ordination. He placed the issue of sexual orientation in the proper perspective - that it was no more relevant that one's gender, race, age or other personal factor. His concerns were solely those related to the calling - that the person have a true, strong faith, that the calling to the ministry be an honest one and that the candidate would be an effective pastor. These are qualifications which have no connection with one's sexual orientation.
I disagree with the contention that if the ``word was out to the grass-roots Episcopalians'' about the Bishop's inclusive stand, there would be an outcry. Bishop Vest has never been evasive about his position, and my experience is that the great majority of Episcopalians want to be a part of an accepting, non-judgmental denomination.
I am an openly gay male who is active in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, including service as a member of the vestry. I also serve on the boards of Integrity/Tidewater, the Episcopal gay-and-lesbian-justice ministry and the Canterbury Center at Old Dominion University. In all of these activities, my sexual orientation is not an issue, but rather my willingness to serve Christ in his ministry through the church. This is what I see as the belief of most ``grass-roots'' Episcopalians.
We are fortunate in the Diocese of Southern Virginia to have a leader who is willing to stand up for all of his people. Bishop Vest follows Christ's instruction to include all the world in his ministry, and the majority of members of the diocese support him in his journey.
SCOTT E. KING
Norfolk, Aug. 16, 1994 by CNB