Capping a race that drew worldwide attention, Rev. Jeffrey Lee, a Midwest native, was overwhelmingly elected Saturday as the next Episcopal bishop of Chicago.
At their annual diocesan convention at the Westin Hotel in suburban Wheeling, church delegates chose Lee from eight candidates, which included a lesbian priest, Rev. Tracey Lind, dean of Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland.
Lee, 50, is rector of St. Thomas Church in Medina, Wash., but was born and raised near Kalamazoo, Mich., and ordained in northern Indiana. He becomes Chicago’s 12th Episcopal bishop and leader of 41,000 Episcopalians.
“I am overwhelmed and grateful to God for the opportunity to come to such a great diocese,” Lee said by telephone. “In many ways, I believe Chicago reflects the face of the Episcopal Church in all its diversity. Rich and poor, urban and suburban, black and white, gay and straight … and I believe I’ve been called to be a bridge-builder and a reconciler.”
The election marked the most recent flash point in the conflict over homosexuality in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. The 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop, began a shift in the church and some thought there would be further divisions if Lind were elected bishop.
When asked about his stance on gays in the church, Lee said he supported full inclusion.
“I believe God is calling us to full inclusion of gays and lesbians in ministry of this church. … There is a place for everyone in the church, and the church has to catch up with God’s vision,” he said.
RE: “the church has to catch up with God’s vision . . . ‘
How antiquated.
It’s God that must catch up with the [Episcopal] church’s vision.
It seems to have played out like I was told it would. They nominate a lesbian to annoy the conservatives, then elect a straight man who’s acceptably liberal to them in a kind of game of chicken with the Anglican Communion.
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Four years ago I was unfortunate enough to hear the bishop-elect preach on the Transfiguration, a part of the Gospel he ridiculed and laughed about. I guess it’s no surprise he’s a *Nashotah House* graduate (once that meant he believed something!), or that he’s now bishop material. Enjoy, Chicago!
Well, liberal high church is the house style.
P.S. TEC not Nashotah.
Re: “I believe God is calling us to full inclusion of gays and lesbians in ministry of this church. … There is a place for everyone in the church, and the church has to catch up with God’s vision,” he said.
I am still waiting to hear where and when God promoted this new vision. I must have missed that meeting.
#3: “guess it’s no surprise he’s a *Nashotah House* graduate”
Actually, it’s quite shocking such a man would come from Nashotah. Can you cite this?
#6: “I am still waiting to hear where and when God promoted this new vision. I must have missed that meeting.”
Don’t worry, you haven’t missed anything. The reappraisers are just lying about this “Vision of God” nonsense. They made it all up.
#7 Rolling Eyes says:
See, e.g, (+)Lee’s bio on the Dio. Chicago web site, here. “Nashotah House, MDiv., 1985.”