This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on August 5, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.
So exactly what is the substance of the mysterious last-minute, surprise allegation that has put Gene Robinson’s confirmation vote as Bishop of New Hampshire on hold?
Sources say that the alleged inappropriate conduct by the Rev. Cn. Gene Robinson occurred when Robinson touched a married man in his 40’s on his bicep, shoulder and upper back in the process of a public conversation at a province meeting around two years ago.
(via Atrios)
What a joke.
There was a news report on MSN saying Bishop Robinson has been investigated and the allegations have been found to be unfounded, and the vote has been rescheduled. I assume more info will come out as time goes on. The gist was the person who wrote the e-mail has now said this was matter of personal discomfort rather than abuse and never meant the satatements to become public, and that the issue of the web site was raised by a person with an ax to grind. Robinson has not been involved with this site for 8 years, and the so called porno site is not on this list, but, if one gors to the “related links” section and is unlucky enough to push the right buttons eight times. one gets to a porno link about which Fr. Robinson had no knowledge.
Here is the Yahoo! story on this:
Vote Set on Episcopalian Gay Bishop
25 minutes ago Add Top Stories – AP to My Yahoo!
By RACHEL ZOLL, AP Religion Writer
MINNEAPOLIS – A clergyman seeking to become the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church was apparently cleared of 11th-hour allegations of misconduct, a church spokesman said Tuesday.
AP Photo
AP Photo
Slideshow: Episcopalians Vote On Gay Bishop
Episcopalians Delay Vote on Gay Bishop
(AP Video)
Episcopal Church Body Approves First Openly Gay Bishop
(Reuters Video)
The bishop leading the inquiry into the Rev. V. Gene Robinson will report later Tuesday on the results of his preliminary investigation and a vote will be taken, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said in a brief statement Tuesday.
Griswold did not comment further, but James Solheim, a church spokesman, said the vote would not have been rescheduled if Robinson hadn’t been cleared of the allegations.
Robinson’s spokesman, Mike Barwell, could not immediately be reached for comment
Allegations emerged Monday that Robinson had inappropriately touched a man and that he is connected to a group whose Web site can indirectly link users to pornography.
Bishop Gordon Scruton of Western Massachusetts conducted the preliminary inquiry to determine whether the claims were credible enough to warrant a full investigation.
The claims came to light just as bishops from around the country who had gathered for the church’s national meeting were to start considering whether to confirm Robinson.
The gathering was thrown into turmoil after several days of intense debate over whether Robinson’s election would strengthen or shatter the church. Robinson, a 56-year-old divorced father of two, has been living with his male partner for 13 years.
Robinson’s supporters had called the timing of the allegations suspicious. His opponents had acknowledged they helped bring forward the Web site claim against him.
The claim of inappropriate touching was e-mailed to Vermont Bishop Thomas Ely by David Lewis of Manchester, Vt. A family friend said Tuesday that Lewis never intended the allegations to go public.
Speaking at a news conference in Manchester, Lou Midura said Lewis sent the e-mail so it could be conveyed privately to other bishops, not debated in the media. Other bishops received the e-mail as well.
Separate concerns were raised about Robinson’s connection to the Web site of Outright, a secular outreach program for gay and bisexual youth that Robinson helped found.
Bishops learned of the porn link claim from David Virtue, a conservative Anglican activist and writer who has been among the harshest critics of Robinson and of Episcopal gay activists. Virtue said a bishop whom he would not identify alerted him to the link.
A member of the group’s board of directors said Robinson hasn’t been involved with the group for several years and had no role in developing its Web page.
The link is on an unaffiliated site that had resources for gay youth, Baxley said. That page provided resources for bisexuals that, a few links away, provided access to porn.
Robinson was elected by his diocese in June, but the church requires that a majority of convention delegates ratify his election.
On Sunday, the House of Deputies, a legislative body comprised of clergy and lay people from dioceses nationwide, approved Robinson by a 2-to-1 margin; a committee endorsed him by secret ballot Friday.
The final vote he needs is in the House of Bishops.
The American Anglican Council, which represents conservative bishops and parishes, plans a meeting in October to decide whether to break away from the church or take some other action if Robinson is seated.
Like-minded bishops in the Anglican Communion, the 77-million-member global association that includes the Episcopal Church, said they, too, will consider severing ties with the denomination if Robinson wins.
Robinson has rejected calls from conservatives that he withdraw from consideration to prevent a breakup of the church, as a gay clergyman did recently in England.
Send that young man my way and I’ll show him the true meaning of “inappropriate touching” and on top of that I’ll give those people a link to a real Gay porn site.
I can’t believe they tried to pull this at the last minute. (well OK yes I can) but I’m glad cooler heads prevailed and they were able to see through this and see it for what it was.
Move along….nothing to see here.