Albany resolutions mesh with Episcopal Church

From the Friday, June 20th Albany Times Union: ( a newspaper not always friendly to the Diocese of Albany)

Lately, there has been a tendency to confuse the Episcopal Church's nondiscrimination policies on sexual orientation with rights to certain behaviors. However, there is a world of difference between an orientation and a behavior.
A college professor may have an "orientation" toward an attractive student in her or his class. Yet she or he is not responsible for the orientation, but for any behavior toward that student.

Likewise, the resolutions passed at our Episcopal Diocesan Convention concern appropriate clergy behavior. The Episcopal Diocese of Albany does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in allowing men or women into the ordination process. But that does not mean, for example, that a man of heterosexual orientation would be a suitable candidate for ordination if his behavior included adultery. He is to be an example to the flock.

If he or she is single, he or she is called to be celibate by the church as an example to the faithful and to the youth. The diocese does not discriminate on the basis of orientation but only on the basis of actual behavior.

This accords with both the teaching and canon law of the whole Episcopal Church, not simply the Diocese of Albany.

With respect to same-sex unions, our diocese passed a resolution completely consistent with the teaching of the entire House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church, which states: "We pledge as a body not to authorize public rites for the blessing of same-sex unions."

There have been some problems in certain dioceses with full compliance with this policy and teaching. The resolutions passed at our convention keep the Diocese of Albany compliant with the teaching of The Episcopal Church and articulate our position as serious and truly binding on our clergy.

As in the Roman Catholic Church, there are Episcopalians unhappy with such teaching. However, these positions are not unique to The Episcopal Diocese of Albany.

THE REV. PAUL J. HARTT

St. Peter's Episcopal Church

Albany