Sen. Chaney, wife witness historic Episcopal votes
Published 12:00 am Friday, August 8, 2003
[8/8/03]State Sen. Mike Chaney, R-Vicksburg, and his wife, Mary, were among parishioners who witnessed history as the Episcopal General Convention voted to ordain its first openly gay bishop and affirmed that same-sex blessing ceremonies are an acceptable practice in the church.
The Convention, which governs itself through Houses of Bishops and Deputies, passed both measures in its Minneapolis meeting that began July 31 and ends today.
Episcopalians gave final approval of elevation to the Rev. V. Gene Robinson of the Diocese of New Hampshire Tuesday after a vote scheduled for Monday was delayed by allegations that he inappropriately touched a man.
Chaney, who voted against granting Robinson bishop status said, “I was not voting on the person of Gene Robinson, but on the mind of the church.”
The Chaneys are members of Christ Episcopal Church in Vicksburg.
In order for a measure to become recognized in the Episcopal Church, it must receive a majority of votes in both governing houses.
The senior House, Bishops, on Wednesday approved recognition for same-sex relationships, but refused to allow prayers during the recognition ceremonies. On Thursday, the House of Deputies, of which Sen. Chaney is a member, gave its approval to what he called a “watered-down” measure.
Advocates had sought liturgies for same-sex couples.
In the House of Deputies, clergy and lay people cast separate ballots. Chaney said he was among the delegates voting against the recognition, the final vote for which was 120-72.
As the Robinson issue came to the fore, representatives of some churches nationwide threatened to leave the Convention.
But, Ann Whitaker, the priest at St. Alban’s in Bovina one of four Episcopal churches in Warren County said Thursday she thinks the church will overcome the controversy. She also said no member of her church has approached her about leaving the denomination.
“I think the people of Mississippi look for leadership and direction from their bishop. I have not heard anyone in my church tell me they are considering leaving the Episcopal Church because of the decision,” Whitaker said.
Bishop Duncan Gray of the Mississippi Diocese said in reference to the measure on same-sex blessings, “In essence it means nothing has changed.
“Basically it says we recognize the diversity of pastoral practices,” Gray said.
Chaney said although the statement may be adopted by Episcopalians, it will remain a local option. He said priests must get approval from a bishop before issuing a blessing.
Gray joined conservative bishops in voting against granting Robinson bishop status.
“Some of us bear a peculiar burden as we have wrestled with the emotionally charged issues of this convention,” Gray told the House of Bishops.
“We live in a part of the country where there have been times when we have been absolutely certain about particular social, moral, or cultural issues, and history has proven that we were terribly wrong. It is that burden of our history that, for many of us, makes this discernment particularly difficult,” he said.
Lauren Auttonberry, a member of Church of the Holy Trinity Episcopal and coordinator of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, circulated a written statement from Gray to members of the state diocese Wednesday.
“My vote in the House of Bishops was to not consent to Canon Robinson’s election,” Gray said.
“I felt called after much prayer to vote in the negative,” he said. “I do not believe the church has reached consensus on the complex issues of human sexuality, and I believe much more discussion is needed before the Church moves forward in these areas.”
Christ, Holy Trinity, St. Alban’s and St. Mary’s are the four local Episcopal Churches. In addition, Vicksburg is home to All Saints’, an Episcopal boarding school.
The Rev. Michael Nation of Holy Trinity said that he stands behind Bishop Gray’s comments. Rectors at Christ and St. Mary’s could not be reached.