From The Times, news of the election of the Anglican Communion’s first lesbian bishop:
The Archbishop of Canterbury warned today that the election of a lesbian bishop in the United States raises “very serious questions” for the entire Anglican church.
Dr Rowan Williams added that the choice of Canon Mary Glasspool, who has lived with a woman partner since 1988, to be a suffragan in Los Angeles, had “important implications”.
The fragile unity of the church will be further imperilled by Canon Glasspool’s election – the second of an openly gay bishop in the US Episcopal Church.
A while ago, the Pope offered a place in the Catholic church for all those Anglican priests who are fed up of having their straight boy privilege nibbled away by the consecration of (ick) women and (oh, ack) queers to the priesthood.
I hope the Rev. Glasspool is confirmed in the position. I hope, as Canon Giles Fraser, Chancellor of St Paul’s, says, it’s “another nail in the coffin of Christian homophobia.”
Do I believe in any kind of god? No. Do I think religious institutions are a good idea? No. But for those who do believe in a god, for those who do belong to this church, the election of a right old dyke to the position of suffragan bishop is nothing but good news. Apart from all the fighting that’s going to happen now. I feel for Mary and her partner Becki. They are going to be in the crosshairs of all the wingnuts. But, eh, dykes are tough. I wish them the best of luck.
Nicola Griffith 
Yeah– I am generally sort of like “oh, really the XYZ church is like, spouting bigotry? & saying the Earth is flat, or whatever? Your fault for listening– wait, also politicians fault for listening. Stop listening to those people! They are just making stuff up!”
But every so often you have to be like “well, at least some Christians aren't super bigoted.”
Maybe now there'll be one (or two) more people adding sanity to the mix. One can only hope.
There will without a doubt be much fighting internally about this. But what a great thing. That had to take a lot of courage. I think this kind of thing is good for all of us – it will help change other people's opinions even if they are not of that religion.
A bishop has real authority, social presence. Yes, it will change things. Every little bit…
This is my church and this makes me really happy. I joined the Episcopalians because I actively searched out an all-inclusive church and the Episcopalians fit my family the best.
But, um, Mordicai? Not trying to pick a fight at all, especially on the God vs No God thing. I respect all beliefs, even NO belief, cuz really, what the hell proof do I have? And yeah, Christians can be total assholes. Many of them make me embarrassed to admit my faith. But saying “Some Christians aren't super bigoted” is a little like saying “Some Muslims aren't West-hating suicide bombers in the making”. Prejudice is prejudice is prejudice.
I hope you're able to be as open-minded as you'd like Christians to be, and take people person-by-person, regardless of their beliefs.
I'm going to say a little prayer for the Archbishop tonight. I think he needs it.
ssas, yes, and words do matter. I grew up Catholic in the UK, at a time when that meant being spat upon (I am not speaking metaphorically) in the street. I was 10 yrs old, collecting for an old people's home, and was literally spat upon, more than once. Prejudice of all kinds hurts.