A common aphorism holds that religion and politics are the two topics which are off limits for polite conversation. For anyone seeking to avoid conflict, this is wise advice; few other subjects have the same potential for controversy and dissension. Independent of one another, religion and politics are controversial; when the topics meet, a blaze becomes a raging forest fire.
In recent years, the Episcopal Church has been rocked by
religious and political explosions as the bishops, priests, and dioceses have
grappled with the issue of homosexuality. Things came to a head in 2003, when
the Episcopal Church ordained Reverend V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay man in a
homosexual relationship as bishop of
In response to the Church's embrace of homosexuality, the
For this reason, the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops voted on Wednesday to remove Bishop Schofield for his purported rejection of Episcopal doctrine. In response, Bishop Schofield replied that he had not abandoned Episcopal doctrine; rather, the Church's leaders were advocating teachings which were not consistent with Scripture or Church Doctrine.
This marks a significant flashpoint in the Episcopal Church's split on homosexuality. While dozens of congregations have seceded since 2003, never before has an entire diocese left the Episcopal Church.
The bishops who voted to depose Bishop Schofield do not see their action as "punitive,"[iii] but it is difficult to interpret the move otherwise. The Church meant to make an example of the first bishop to lead his diocese away from Episcopal leadership. And yet, this will not make the issue or the controversy go away.
The leaders of the Episcopal Church are gravely mistaken if they believe that split over the Church's acceptance of homosexuality can be papered over by silencing the Church's internal critics. So long as Episcopal leaders ignore the concerns of their congregations and the guidelines of the Bible, the Church will continue to be wracked with discord.
