Eclecticism

There’s an excellent editorial at the Star Tribune looking at the events of the last 24 hours (use username: djwudi, password djwudi if you get registration hassles).

We had hoped to comment this morning on the meaning of the Episcopal debate over the nomination of the Rev. Gene Robinson to be bishop of the New Hampshire diocese. Why is it happening now? What does it portend? Is the Episcopal Church, as it often has before, signaling a significant change in the social fabric of American life?

That was before Robinson was ambushed, hours before the House of Bishops was to take the final vote on his nomination, by the most scurrilous smear: He was accused of linkage to a porn Web site and of inappropriately touching another man. The church investigated both charges and cleared Robinson. The House of Bishops then voted to accept his elevation to Bishop of New Hampshire. End of story? Not quite.

[…]

So we come full circle. Gene Robinson, meet Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky. But there is a difference: In Clinton’s case, years of digging eventually produced evidence of private sexual misbehavior. Robinson appears guilty of nothing at all — save being a gay man who wants to be a bishop. For some, unfortunately, that is enough to justify all sorts of innuendo and dirty tricks. Be warned: This is the way they play.

(via Atrios)

The American cleric Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop in the worldwide Anglican communion [today] after he was formally cleared of allegations of sexual misconduct.

[…]

Dr Williams predicted in a statement issued minutes after the vote that difficult days lay ahead and that the decision would inevitably have a significant impact.

He said: “It will be vital to ensure that the concerns and needs of those across the communion who are gravely concerned at this development can be heard, understood and taken into account.”

[…]

The primate of the US church, Frank Griswold, appealed for calm as he announced that 62 bishops had voted in favour – more than the simple majority of the 107 entitled to vote – sparking a furious reaction from opposing bishops.

I was hoping that I’d be able to follow up this morning’s string of posts with this news. I don’t doubt that there will be repercussions from this, both good and bad, over the coming months and years. However, the mere fact that we were able to get to this point, despite the last minute machinations of Robinson’s detractors, says wonderful things about where we might head in the future.

Many, many congratulations to Bishop Robinson, and to all of his supporters.

Update: Google News’ collection of related articles.

Thanks to Dad for the pointer to this story in his comment five minutes ago (I love the ‘net sometimes)!

The clergyman seeking to become the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church has been cleared of 11th-hour allegations, church sources have confirmed, NBC News’ Jim Avila reported Tuesday afternoon. The vote by bishops to confirm the elevation of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, which had been postponed Monday for an investigation into the surprise allegations, was rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

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)