The Rev. Penelope Duckworth, writing in the San Jose Mercury News effectively dismisses the arguments made by the Rev. John Yates and Os Guinness of the Falls Church in their recent fact-free piece in The Washington Post.
She concludes: It is notable that the authors did not leave after the approval and consecration of the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson (the first openly gay bishop) in 2003. The schism occurred in 2006 and followed the election of the first female presiding bishop. Up until then, those who opposed women’s leadership were cushioned by allowances which permitted male episcopal authority if requested. With the consecration of The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, there was suddenly no man who had more authority, and so sexism was flushed from its cover. Like many schismatics, the authors claim to represent the true church. But, in fact, they are objecting to decisions made democratically by duly elected representatives. In this “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,” Christian churches all over the world will remember that Jesus prayed for unity. So did Gerald Ford and, no doubt, George Washington. It is still a longing of the faithful.