wfn.org | [ENS] Bishops deputies support continued anti-racism training

["Mika Larson" <mini_mika@earthlink.net>]

August 3, 2003

Bishops deputies support continued anti-racism training

by Richelle Thompson
 
[ENS] With only a handful of visitors in the gallery, the House of
Bishops Sunday completed a  light day of legislation as most of the
attention centered in the House of Deputies, as they  voted to confirm
the election of the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson as bishop coadjutor of New
Hampshire. 

The bishops concurred with the deputies to continue anti-racism training
and dialogue, as  outlined in resolution A010. The measure also requires
all people seeking election or appointment  to several standing
commissions and other Executive Council committees to have had
anti-racism  training - or pledge to undergo training within a year of
their appointment.

Resolution D009 also passed in the House of Bishops - despite some
concerns. The resolution calls	on the convention to enthusiastically
support and affirm an Anglican congress of lay people,	priests, deacons
and bishops from every diocese in the Communion. 

"The vision is glorious," said Bishop Edward Little of Northern Indiana.
However, "I have a bit	of concern about the unfunded mandate in the
resolution."

Smaller dioceses such as Northern Indiana have a difficult time finding
the money to send the  bishop and spouse to the Lambeth Conference, he
said. Increasing the deputation to five or more  people could cause an
undue financial burden, Bishop Little said.

The bishops approved plans to create a nine-year Task Force of Executive
Council on Lifelong  Christian Education and Formation. The hope is that
the task force will develop a vision and  strategy to strengthen and
equip people of all ages to share the good news of the Gospel.

The house recessed after debate - but before a vote - on resolution
A014, which would support  research on human stem cells. 

Bishop John Lipscomb of Southwest Florida spoke against the resolution,
despite acknowledging  that stem cell research could benefit him
personally. He was diagnosed as having Parkinson's  disease a year ago.
However, he said, "I am also an adopted child. I know the preciousness
of  life. [If abortion had been legal in the 1940s], it's very possible
that I would not be standing  here this afternoon and someone else would
be the bishop of Southwest Florida."

Bishop William Persell of Chicago countered that the resolution "has
nothing to do with abortion.  This is talking about embryos that are
saved for fertilization purposes. They are no longer  needed. The
question is, 'Are they going to be destroyed, or are they going to be
saved forever,	or are they going to be used to save people's lives?"

The house is expected to resume discussion on the issue Monday morning.