Letter to Bishop Lee

This letter was presented and available for signatures during Sunday services on 10 August 2003.

August 10, 2003

The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee
The Diocese of Virginia
110 West Franklin St.
Richmond, VA 23220

Dear Bishop Lee,

The clergy, vestry, and undersigned members of Church of the Apostles, are writing to express our deep grief and sorrow over the decision of the 74th General Convention to ratify the Rev. Gene Robinson’s election, and to support Resolution C051, addressing the issue of same-sex unions. These actions have placed us in a grave crisis with the Church we love.

Our sadness was greatly increased when we learned of our deputies’ and your personal endorsement of both resolutions.

With respect for your office, and in humility, we must declare our dissociation from these decisions. We cannot regard them as a reflection of the mind of Christ, nor in any way binding on the life, teaching or ministry of this congregation.

We regard these decisions as a serious departure from the clear witness of scripture, a betrayal of the unbroken tradition of the Christian Church, and injurious to the instruments and unity of ECUSA and the Anglican Communion.

Since we cannot regard Bishop Gene Robinson as “a wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ,” we are unable to recognize him as a bishop of the Church. Neither can we concur with C051, where paragraph 5 states: “. . . we recognize that local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions.” (emphasis added).

Church of the Apostles welcomes and ministers to “all sorts and conditions” of people; but we will continue to uphold the sanctity of life-long, heterosexual marriage not only as “the normative context for sexual intimacy,” but as the divine standard, as set out clearly in scripture and in the Book of Common Prayer. We will reach out to those who are not living up to these demanding standards—beginning with each other—with grace and love, but also where necessary with godly admonition and correction.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

The Rev. David R. Harper
Rector