Openly Lesbian Priest Still Vying for Episcopal Diocese's Top Post

By Lillian Kwon, Christian Post Reporter Monday, October 29, 2007

Parishioners across the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago had the opportunity to grill eight nominees – including a lesbian priest – vying to become the next bishop.

The candidates concluded on Sunday a weeklong tour of the diocese that consisted of meetings, presentations and answering questions on controversial issues such as immigration and the full inclusion of gays and lesbians.

At a time when The Episcopal Church has placed the global Anglican family on the brink of schism, openly lesbian candidate the Rev. Tracey Lind remains in the running to lead the Chicago diocese.

"In light of recent events, some of you may be wondering why I am still standing for election," Lind, dean of Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, told audiences, according to The Chicago Tribune. "I trusted the spirit of this discernment process and I pray that you will do the same and that together all of us will see where the heart of God leads us."

Parishioners in the diocese aren't too concerned about the sexuality of their next bishop. Their priorities were more with the managerial and fundraising capabilities of Lind.

If elected, Lind would be the second openly gay bishop in The Episcopal Church – the U.S. branch of Anglicanism – and another blow to the wider Anglican Communion.

Its first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, was consecrated in 2003 and widened rifts within the Anglican Communion. The 77-million-member body rejects homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture.

Conservative Anglican leaders worldwide have called The Episcopal Church to repent and pull back its controversial decisions. However, Episcopal bishops, including Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, said last month they will not retreat but will "exercise restraint" in approving partnered gays as bishops and authorizing public rites of the blessing of same-sex unions.

In their official response to the worldwide Anglican family, the bishops also called for "unequivocal and active commitment to the civil rights, safety, and dignity of gay and lesbian persons."

Voting for the Chicago diocese's next bishop will take place during its 170th annual convention Nov. 9-10.

According to the local Tribune, Lind didn't come out of the recent weeklong tour as a frontrunner but the Revs. Jeffrey Lee, rector of St. Thomas Church in Medina, Wash., and Petero Sabune, chaplain at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, N.Y., did.