Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles says this in light of the release of the statement of the Standing Commission of the Anglican Communion urging the Episcopal Church not to consent to the election of the Rev. Canon Mary Glasspool as suffragan bishop of his diocese:
As we approach the nativity of Christ, we need to remember the admonition of the angels to the shepherds: “Be not afraid.”
The Episcopal Church, a member of the Anglican Communion, for more than the past 30 years has been working on gradual, full incorporation of gay and lesbian people. We have worked to be people of gracious restraint for all these years and have now come to a place in our lives that is normal evolutionary change which compels us to move from tolerance to full inclusion.
As with racial and cultural divides, we can look to the great words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who calls us not to fall prey to the insidious drug of gradualism. Indeed, as he said in his speech titled “I Have a Dream”: “This is no time…to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism…. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”
We must move forward and respect the dignity of all human beings which is called for in our Baptismal Covenant and canons.
The Diocese of Los Angeles has acted in good faith and is moving forward in supporting the full inclusion and full humanity of all people in the Church. Thus, we celebrate the elections of Diane Jardine Bruce and Mary Douglas Glasspool as our next Bishops Suffragan called to share in the work of a strong episcopal team serving this Diocese and all of God’s people.
The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop Diocesan
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles